Fatal Multiple Painless Intussusceptions: A Case Report

Intussusception is an invagination of the intestine into another in the direction of peristalsis. Because of varied presentations and relative rarity, intussusception remains a difficult condition to diagnose and at times it may be missed altogether. It is a commonest cause of intestinal obstruction in infancy and childhood though morbidity and mortality rates from the condition have progressively declined in recent times, still avoidable deaths continues. Here we present a case of female child of 3 months brought for forensic autopsy after her death with history of fever and cough since 2 days and breathlessness since 1 day. Autopsy revealed three intussusceptions. Painless intussusceptions are deceitful in their presentations. The forensic pathologist should be aware of such condition. The current case report exhibits such diagnostic pitfall and highlights the importance of forensic autopsy in revealing the cause of death.