The microscopic pathology of the liver in fatal cocaine intoxication

✍ Scribed by Arthur R. Copeland

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 1989
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 263 KB
• Volume: 29
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0015-7368
• DOI: 10.1016/s0015-7368(89)73246-1

✦ Synopsis

The microscopic pathology of the liver in fatal cocaine intoxication was studied. Data from cases of cocaine intoxication during the years 1981-1986 were collected and analysed. Thirty cases with a negative past history for intravenous drug abuse, and in which the terminal drug testing revealed solely cocaine or its metabolites, were compared with a control group of nineteen people who had died in motor vehicle accidents, with a terminal negative blood alcohol, negative drug screen and no history of drug abuse. A comparison of liver histology was made along with gross anatomical liver weight. These findings are compared to other studies of hepatotoxicity in drug abuse.