Wischnewsky (or Wischnewski) lesions are seen in the gastric mucosa at autopsy.
Causes of Wischnewsky lesions:
(1) hypothermia (most common cause)
(2) diabetic ketoacidosis
(3) severe physiological stress
Features:
(1) multiple blackish to dark brownish mucosal lesions which may be spots or superficial erosions
(2) these may be variable in size, number and distribution
(3) histologic examinations show brown or black pigmentation without neutrophilic infiltration or vital reactions
Yang et al (2020) reported the cold loading for several hours will activate gastric H+, K+ ATPase pumps and pepsin C release, inducing changes eventually leading to tiny lesions in the gastric mucosa.
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