Fatal hypoglycaemia in insulin‐treated diabetes mellitus: clinical features and neuropathological changes

AW Patrick, IW Campbell - Diabetic medicine, 1990 - Wiley Online Library
AW Patrick, IW Campbell
Diabetic medicine, 1990Wiley Online Library
Four insulin‐treated diabetic patients presented over a 2‐year period in hypoglycaemic
coma and died secondary to this. At autopsy, there were widespread neuropathological
changes, in all four cases consistent with hypoglycaemic damage. Abnormalities were also
found in areas regarded as generally being spared in hypoglycaemic brain injury,
particularly the brain stem, thalamus, globus pallidus, and cerebellum, and these lesions
may relate to seizure activity and cardio‐respiratory depression secondary to the …
Four insulin‐treated diabetic patients presented over a 2‐year period in hypoglycaemic coma and died secondary to this. At autopsy, there were widespread neuropathological changes, in all four cases consistent with hypoglycaemic damage. Abnormalities were also found in areas regarded as generally being spared in hypoglycaemic brain injury, particularly the brain stem, thalamus, globus pallidus, and cerebellum, and these lesions may relate to seizure activity and cardio‐respiratory depression secondary to the hypoglycaemia. Although more than one aetiological factor may be contributing, it is concluded that the neuropathological changes in diabetic patients dying in hypoglycaemic coma are extremely diverse.
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