Histological and immunohistochemical findings in a fatal case of thrombotic thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination

Pathol Res Pract. 2022 Mar:231:153796. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153796. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

Abstract

This case report describes a fatal case of a young woman with superior sagittal, transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis after administration of the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. Eleven days post-vaccination she was found unconscious and transferred to the Emergency Department. Blood parameters showed low platelets, and a CT scan showed an extensive left intracranial hemorrhage and the presence of an occlusive thrombus of the superior sagittal sinus. She under-went a craniectomy, but after the intervention, she remained in a comatose state. After a few days, her clinical conditions worsened, and she died. A complete autopsy was performed which showed a thrombosis of the cerebral venous district, of the upper and lower limbs. A blood sample was also performed to carry out a gene study about the predisposition to thrombosis. The organ samples were studied through light microscope both in hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical examination, and showed a strong inflammatory response in all samples and at the site of thrombosis. Our study aims to provide a proper autopsy technique to study the entire cerebral venous system through a multidisciplinary approach (anatomical dissection and neurosurgery) in post-vaccine venous thrombosis.

Keywords: Autopsy; ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination; Post-mortem investigation; Thrombotic cerebral sinus; Thrombotic thrombocytopenia; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 / adverse effects*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / etiology*
  • Thrombocytopenia / etiology*

Substances

  • ChAdOx1 nCoV-19