Coroner's Finding: VONDERWALL Frederick Albert
Deceased
Frederick Albert Vonderwall
Demographics
66y, male
Date of death
2007-04-25
Finding date
2009-09-18
Cause of death
hepatorenal failure and biliary sepsis complicating common bile duct obstruction
AI-generated summary
A 66-year-old man incarcerated in Port Lincoln Prison died from hepatorenal failure and biliary sepsis complicating common bile duct obstruction. He presented with progressive jaundice, dark urine, and signs of liver failure from February 2007. Transfer to Royal Adelaide Hospital ICU in April 2007 revealed probable biliary cancer. He underwent ERCP with stent insertion and required ICU support including mechanical ventilation and dialysis. After extubation on 18 April, he explicitly declined further aggressive treatment and life support. Care was appropriate and compassionate, with respect for his wishes and transition to palliative care. The death was natural, inevitable, and not preventable given disease severity.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Common bile duct obstruction (aetiology either biliary cancer or pancreatic scarring from ingested foreign body)
- Biliary sepsis
- Renal failure
- Advanced liver disease
- Patient's refusal of further aggressive treatment
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