Embalming Theory Week 10

Postmortem Conditions and Embalming Treatments -Discolorations!!!

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Week 10

Discolorations

• Discolorations can be categorized into six main types, based on their causes:

  1. Blood discolorations

  2. Drug and therapeutic (pharmaceutical) discolorations

  3. Pathological discolorations

  4. Surface discoloring agent discolorations

  5. Reactions to embalming chemicals

  6. Decomposition-related discolorations

  Note: Some discolorations may fall into more than one category.

​Classifications by Occurrence

• Antemortem Discolorations
  Occur before death but may persist after death.
  Types include:

  • Blood discolorations

  • Drug and therapeutic discolorations

  • Pathological discolorations

  • Surface discoloring agent discolorations

​Postmortem Discolorations

• Occur only after death.
  Types include:

  • Blood discolorations

  • Surface discoloring agent discolorations

  • Reactions to embalming chemicals

  • Decomposition discolorations

​Classifications by Cause: Blood Discolorations

• Intravascular Blood Discolorations (Antemortem)
  Caused by changes within the blood vessels.
  Examples include:

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning – produces a cherry-red coloration

  • Capillary congestion – distended vessels indicating impaired blood flow

​​Classifications by Cause: Blood Discolorations

Extravascular Blood Discolorations (Antemortem)

• Ecchymosis – escape of blood into extravascular tissues, resulting in larger areas of discoloration.

• Petechiae – pinpoint purplish hemorrhages caused by small amounts of blood escaping into the tissues.

​​​Classifications by Cause: Blood Discolorations

Extravascular Blood Discolorations (Antemortem)

• Hematoma – a tumor-like swelling caused by the rupture of a large blood vessel and the collection of blood in the tissues.

• Senile Purpura – red, purple, or brown bruises that develop on aged or fragile skin due to weakened blood vessels.

Postmortem Blood Discoloration

• Livor Mortis
  An intravascular red-blue discoloration that develops after death due to postmortem hypostasis (the settling of blood within the body).

Postmortem Blood Discoloration

Extravascular Blood Discolorations (Postmortem)

• Postmortem Stain – occurs when heme pigments seep through vessel walls and into surrounding body tissues.

• Tardieu Spots – small, pinpoint discolorations caused by the rupture of minute vessels as blood settles in the body’s dependent areas.

​Other Extravascular Discolorations

• Pharmaceutical Causes

  • Example: Vitiligo

• Pathological Causes

  • Examples:

    • Gangrene (moist)

    • Ischemic necrosis (dry)

Other Extravascular Discolorations

Pathological Discolorations

• Jaundice – caused by excess bilirubin from liver failure; turns green upon contact with formaldehyde.

• Addison’s Disease & Hemochromatosis – cause skin bronzing due to hyperpigmentation.orstoring of excess iron.

Unnatural Conditions Causing Discoloration

• Certain external or traumatic events can produce distinctive discolorations in the body:

  • Refrigeration – prolonged cold can cause pale or mottled skin.

  • Hanging – may produce dark purplish or reddish discoloration in dependent areas of the face and neck.

  • Burns – skin may appear charred, blackened, or red depending on severity.

Unnatural Conditions Causing Discoloration

• • Poisons – some chemicals cause unique tissue or skin color changes (e.g., cyanide, arsenic).

  • Gunshot wounds – bruising, hematoma, and localized blood discoloration around entry/exit sites.

  • Drowning – often produces bluish discoloration in dependent areas and around the lips and fingertips.

  • Exsanguination – pallor due to extreme blood loss.

  • Mutilation – trauma may result in localized bruising or abnormal coloration.

  • Electrocution – brown or charred tissue at contact points; possible surrounding vascular discoloration.

​ Embalming Treatments

General Treatments for Discolorations

• Elevate the head and shoulders – helps reduce postmortem discoloration by promoting drainage.

• Pre-injection fluid – clears the vascular system before arterial embalming; intravascular discolorations often clear during blood drainage.

  • A dye may be added to the pre-injection solution to counterstain discoloration.

​Embalming Treatments

• Aids to improve injection and drainage:

  • Gravity

  • Gentle massage

  • Sectional arterial injection with venous drainage

  • Increased injection pressure with limited drainage

​Surface Discolorations

• Methods of Removal:

  1. Physical Methods – cleaning or gentle abrasion of the affected area.

  2. Chemical Methods – application of bleaching agents or other chemical treatments.

  3. Hypodermic or Surface Treatment – direct injection or topical application of chemicals.

  4. Phenol Cautery – cauterization using phenol.

  5. Cavity Fluid Containing Phenol – used for localized tissue treatment.

​Surface Discolorations

• Pre-Embalming Removal:

  • Pre-injection prior to arterial embalming can help clear discolorations.

  • Dyes may be added to pre-injection fluid to counter-stain problem areas.

Reactions to Embalming Chemicals

• Dehydration – caused by too strong or excessive arterial solution or continuous drainage.

• Yellow-Green Jaundice – may develop due to chemical reactions with body tissues.

• Formaldehyde Gray – occurs when blood removal is inadequate; remaining blood reacts with formaldehyde, producing a gray color.

  • Prevention: Use a large volume of arterial solution, ensure thorough drainage, and aspirate the heart completely.

​Jaundice – Avoid the Green Face!

• Treatment Strategies:

  • Use jaundice-specific arterial fluid

  • Pre-inject with a dye to counter discoloration

  • Use a mild arterial solution

  • Consider a non-formaldehyde fluid

  • Use a bleaching co-injection

​Reactions to Embalming Chemicals

• Flushing – occurs when arterial solution reaches a body area but blood drainage is inadequate.

• Razor Burn (Abrasion) – cuts to the skin from shaving the deceased.

  • Prevention: Shave before embalming and use massage cream to keep skin from drying.

• Postmortem Bruising – results from excessive pressure on tissues, damaging capillaries.

  • Treatment: Manage like any other bruise.