Histological insights into sudden, unexpected death due to tuberculosis: two autopsy case reports and review of the literature

We report two singular cases of sudden death in which the cause was advanced tuberculosis infection. In the first case, a 24-year-old man died suddenly following massive hemoptysis due to erosion of the pulmonary vessels. The second case involved a 29-year-old man who died unexpectedly from asphyxia secondary to hemoptysis caused by fibrocavitatory tuberculosis. Toxicological screening and HIV testing were negative in both cases. Medico-legal autopsy, combined with detailed histological examination, was essential to determine the exact cause of death.