Finding into death of Jacinta OBrien

45y · Female·Metastatic ovarian carcinoma

A 45-year-old woman with intellectual disability and Lennox-Gastraut syndrome presented to Austin Hospital with a two-week history of abdominal swelling and peripheral oedema. Investigations revealed metastatic ovarian carcinoma. She developed aspiration pneumonia on day 8 of admission and died suddenly on day 10 when she stopped breathing and became cyanosed despite oxygen administration. Autopsy confirmed metastatic ovarian carcinoma as the cause of death. The coroner found her care was within reasonable parameters. Clinical lessons include the importance of early investigation of abdominal symptoms in vulnerable populations with communication difficulties, and management of aspiration risk in patients with dysphagia.