Authors:

Benjamin Kuek¹, Chan Shijia¹

¹Forensic Medicine Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore

 

Abstract:

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a haematological malignancy arising from the clonal proliferation of myeloid blasts. AML-associated deaths are frequently due to sepsis, as a result of immunocompromisation, and haemorrhage, as a result of coagulopathy. We present a case report of the death of a young woman due to spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage as a result of previously undiagnosed AML, where the post-mortem clots present at autopsy showed an unusual discolouration. Instead of the expected “dark red” or “chicken fat” appearance, the post-mortem clots throughout the body showed greenish-yellow discolouration, reminiscent of pus. No infective foci were present at autopsy or on histological examination. We discuss the histological findings of the clot and a possible reason for the greenish-yellow discolouration.