Sudden death in idiopathic giant cell myocarditis.

A rare case of idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis fatally affecting a middle-aged woman is presented. The circumstances of the fulminant and unexpected death were witnessed and reported by a relative. The confusing aspects of the 'Fiedler's myocarditis', the relation with more common forms of viral myocarditis and finally the medico-legal importance in the context of the sudden and natural death are mentioned.