Unattended fatal haemorrhage associated with spontaneous rupture of peripheral varicosity

Abstract

Crural ulcers are found in 3 - 5% of the population while venous ulcers appear in 0,15 - 2% of the population. Acute hemorrhage from a venous ulcer is a rare complication which can lead to unattended and rapid external blood loss.

Herein we present a case of 65-year-old man who was found in the kitchen of his flat in a large pool of blood with blood-tinged simple bandage applied on the right leg. At autopsy, a rupture of the varicose vein at the base of the large venous ulcer was revealed which led to the fatal haemorrhage.

Keywords

• chronic venous insufficiency
• ulcus cruris
• varicose veins
• fatal haemorrhage
• unexpected death