The potential significance of occult cardiac rhabdomyomas at autopsy in traumatic death

Excerpt

A previously-well 19-year old male was found dead at the scene after his motorcycle collided with a telegraph pole. No other vehicle was involved in the incident which was investigated by traffic police and the State Coroner. At autopsy there was evidence of significant blunt force trauma to the chest and head in keeping with the described incident. Specifically, the right side of the face was parchmented, with irregular abrasions of the anterior aspect of the neck, and fresh blood within both ear canals. Abrasions were present over the right flank and limbs. The facial skeleton was shattered with comminuted fractures of the mandible, maxillae, zygomas and nasal and frontal bones. The left radius and ulna were also fractured. …