Key result
Among 423 infant autopsies, two cases of tumors (a medullary oligodendroglioma and a cardiac fibroma) caused unexpected death mimicking sudden infant death syndrome.
Case Report (n=423)
No
Rare tumors, such as cardiac fibroma or oligodendroglioma, can cause unexpected death in infants that mimics sudden infant death syndrome.
A total of 423 medicolegal autopsies of infants under the age of 1 year were done during a 15-year period (1980-1994) at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Stockholm. Only two instances with findings of tumors occurred. One was a unilateral oligodendroglioma involving the medullary reticular formation and inferior olivary nucleus with associated myocardial alterations; the other was a fibroma of the left heart ventricle. Both are interesting with regard to their localization--the medulla oblongata and the heart--and by causing death in a way that mimics the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In the heart of the infant with oligodendroglioma, a single fascicle of hamartomatous, immature appearing heart muscle fibers was found, making the interpretation of the cause of death more intricate.
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Rajs et al. (1997) conducted a case report in Unexpected infant death mimicking SIDS (n=423). Tumors (oligodendroglioma and fibroma) was evaluated on Findings of tumors causing unexpected death. Among 423 infant autopsies, two cases of tumors (a medullary oligodendroglioma and a cardiac fibroma) caused unexpected death mimicking sudden infant death syndrome.
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