[Visceral histologic lesions of lethal acute colchicine poisoning. Apropos of 12 cases].

The authors reported histological characteristics (on post-mortem examination) of 12 cases of lethal acute colchicine intoxication and compare these results with the 5 previous anatomical studies of such cases in the literature. Abnormal mitosis (stathmocinesis, "caryomerie", caryorrhexis and mitonecrosis) are constant and essentially seen in the bone marrow and digestive mucosae, especially in oesophagus which squamous epithelium is more resistant to autolysis than others digestive mucosae. Biological or histological symptoms or lesions of intravascular diffuse coagulation are present 7 cases but both biological and histological manifestations in only one case. Hematological disorders are constant when more than 0.5 mg/kg (of corporeal weight) of colchicine has been ingested. Granulocytic elements are most affected both by hypoplasia (essentially in the first four days) and maturation troubles. A microvacuolar non systematized and diffuse liver fatty change is found in 10 cases, probably related to alteration of lipoproteins synthesis and secretion by hepatocytes. Interstitial myocardial oedema is a constant feature; in addition true interstitial myocarditis (with infiltration by polymorphs) is seen in two cases. These cardiac lesions may be related to the cardiogenic shock which is often observed in these patients.