A rare case of suicide by ingestion of muriatic acid: analysis of the medico-legal evidences.

• DOI: 10.7417/ct.2025.5181
• Publication Date: 2025-03-20
• Authors: Matteo Antonio Sacco; S Gualtieri; Maria Cristina Ve...; Alessandro Pasqua...; Pierpaolo Tarzia; Pasquale Ricci; Isabella Aquila
• Keywords: Case analysis

Caustic substances are highly corrosive and dangerous, causing protein denaturation tissue necrosis by altering pH upon contact. Common examples include muriatic acid, caustic soda, ammonia. This case study details a 44-year-old man who ingested acid in suicide attempt, leading to widespread esophageal gastric ulcerations, necrosis, pulmonary consolidations, blood-stream infections (Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Acinetobacter Baumanii complex). Despite medical interventions, the patient died. An autopsy was performed it revealed extensive multi-organ hemorrhages systemic damage. The findings highlight rapid fatal effects of ingestion, underscoring importance immediate emergency care, including esophagogastroduodenoscopy lavage, mitigate absorption impact.