An autopsy case of a traffic accident accompanied with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: A case report

A report was made on an autopsy case of a 19-year-old man with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, who died in a traffic accident. The cause of death was acute massive haemorrhage from the lacerated liver. There was a bar of paraspinal ossifying lumps, which was hard, ramified throughout his back and restricted the movement of the thoracic vertebral column. Numerous hard swellings were palpable through the skin on the elbows, thighs, and lumbar and gluteal regions. Small bony masses were found in the muscles. According to his clinical records, radiographs and autopsy findings, he might have suffered from the latter stage of the disease. As a cause of the accident, though a suicidal attempt by using the car or dozing was suspected, the influence of the disease itself was also considered. In connection with this case, it seemed that in the traffic death case with a rare disease, the careful investigation of the clinical symptomes and severity of the disease is very important.