An autopsy case of severe pleuritis induced by misinsertion of a nasogastric nourishment tube: Diagnostic significance of multinucleated giant cells

An 87-year-old female who had been hospitalized due to pneumonia was administered nourishment through a nasogastric tube. She collapsed as a result of dyspnea after the insertion of a new tube and administration of nourishment. Chest X-rays revealed that the tube was inserted into the left pleural cavity passing the trachea and left bronchi and that the nourishment pooled. In spite of immediate treatment including removal of the tube and insertion of a drain, she died 12 days later. Autopsy findings: Both the left pulmonary and parietal pleurae were thickened and covered with a dirty gray-yellowish moss-like paste. The left lower lobe was softened, and this region was suspected as the ruptured site of the pleura. Histological findings: A part of the thick pleura with inflammatory cells, including multinucleated giant cells, was positive-stained for anti α-lactalbumin antibody immunohistochemically. These giant cells are often observed in granulomatous inflammation against a foreign material. It was considered that those in the pleura had been induced by the nourishment, and that those in the pulmonary parenchyma had been affected by the insertion of the tube. The multinucleated giant cells clarified the cause of fatal pleuritis and pneumonia and the misinsertion of the tube.