Vaginal laceration leading to air embolism during consensual sexual intercourse

Vaginal injuries with clinical complications apart from local bleeding following sexual intercourse are thought to be rare events that have recently fostered a discussion on the topic. We report a case of a vaginal laceration resulting in death caused by air embolism in a non-pregnant woman during consensual sexual intercourse with digital and penile penetration. Hysterectomy and a preexisting vaginal injury were additional risk factors present in this case. Besides case history and autopsy findings, histological examination of the vaginal lesion and postmortem computer tomography (PMCT) helped in diagnosing the cause of death and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Automated summary

This case report highlights a rare instance of a non-pregnant woman who died due to air embolism caused by vaginal laceration during consensual sexual intercourse, with hysterectomy and preexisting vaginal injury as additional risk factors. Histological examination and postmortem computer tomography (PMCT) were essential in diagnosing the cause of death and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.