Mutouhapu (610 hap) was a
calcium polysulfide colloid preparation, which was sold as a bath
salt in Japan. Herein, we report on the autopsy of a suicide case as a result of taking 610 hap orally and present histopathological findings with a focus on
corrosive changes observed in upper gastrointestinal tract. The subject was a 60-year-old man who was discovered dead 200-300 m from his home. The site smelled of
sulfur. Sixty parts per million
hydrogen sulfide was detected in the oral cavity of the deceased. He had
schizophrenia since junior high school. At autopsy, the oral and nasal cavities had a rotten-egg smell. Adipose tissues had green coloring. There was thickening and
sclerosis of the gastric wall, and a green to pale yellow pseudomembrane-like substance was observed adhering to the gastric mucosa. Gastric content was 400 ml of green to pale yellow sludge. The distal portion of the stomach was highly contracted. Qualitative analysis for
hydrogen sulfide was positive. Histological changes in the digestive tract were particularly notable in the stomach. Degeneration and
necrosis of the mucosa and submucosa, degeneration of the submucosal fat, and dissection-like changes in the blood vessels of the submucosa were discovered. Basophilic
lime granules were found on the mucosal surface. There were hypercontracture changes in the proper muscle layer of the pyloric region. The cause of death was
hydrogen sulfide poisoning with associated
corrosive gastritis.