Black esophagus in forensic autopsies: impressive finding and cause of death?

Bianca Beltrame, Stefan Pittner, Thomas Keller, Fabio C Monticelli

Abstract readCase Reports

In one paragraph

Article in Forensic science, medicine, and pathology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Bianca BeltrameDepartment of Forensic Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy. bianca.beltrame@unibs.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6730-5933

Stefan PittnerDepartment of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, Paris- Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria.

Thomas KellerDepartment of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, Paris- Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria.

Fabio C MonticelliDepartment of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, Paris- Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Black esophagus (BE) is characterized by a discoloration of the esophageal mucosa, commonly arising from acute esophageal necrosis. The underlying pathogenesis of BE is poorly understood though it is frequently associated with comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse, infections. Determining the cause of death in cases involving BE at autopsy can be particularly challenging. The report presents the case of a 45-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse. Autopsy revealed extensive BE along with bilateral pneumonia. Cause of death was determined to be severe pneumonia in combination with acute esophageal necrosis, against a background of chronic alcohol abuse. This case underscores the importance of a thorough forensic investigation, including anamnestic information, autopsy findings and histopathological examination, in order to accurately establish the cause of death, even in presence of dramatic findings such as BE.

Indexed as

Esophageal MucosaEsophagusAlcoholismDeath, SuddenForensic PathologyHumansMaleMiddle AgedNecrosisPneumoniaAutopsyBlack esophagusChronic alcohol abusePneumoniaSudden death

Identifiers

PMID40705129

DOI10.1007/s12024-025-01048-x

PMCPMC13331882

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