Background/Objectives: Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental contaminants with potential implications for human health. Experimental studies suggest that MPs accumulate in the liver and promote inflammatory and fibrotic changes, but evidence from human tissues remains limited. This study investigated the presence of suspected MP-like particles in post-mortem human liver tissue and their associations with clinical, biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters. Methods: Post-mortem liver tissue samples were collected from 55 adults. Suspected MP-like particles were extracted using hydrogen peroxide digestion, filtration, Nile Red staining and image-based quantification. Histopathological evaluation assessed inflammation, fibrosis, necrosis and fatty liver degeneration. Polarized light microscopy was used as a supportive morphological assessment method. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U tests, Fisher’s exact tests and Spearman correlation analysis. Results: Detectable hepatic suspected MP-like particles were identified in 9 of 55 individuals (16.4%). Individuals with detectable suspected MP-like particles had significantly lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and leukocyte counts. The hepatic suspected MP-like particle burden showed weak positive correlation with liver fibrosis and inflammation and weak inverse correlation with ALT levels and leukocyte count. Fisher’s exact test showed that liver fibrosis and liver inflammation were significantly associated with detectable hepatic suspected MP-like particles, with higher unadjusted odds observed in the corresponding 2 × 2 contingency tables. No statistically significant associations were found for liver necrosis or fatty liver degeneration. Conclusions: Detectable suspected MP-like particles were identified in post-mortem human liver tissues and were more closely associated with fibrotic and inflammatory histopathological changes than with routine biochemical abnormalities. Larger studies using standardized detection methods are needed to confirm these results.

Background and Clinical Significance: The widespread use of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has led to an increasing number of pocket-related complications. While early hematoma and infection are common, late-onset non-infective cystic pocket collections are rare and may closely mimic infectious processes, creating significant diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Case summary: We report the case of an 81-year-old woman with a complex medical history (including a previous device-related infection requiring complete pacing system extraction), with a gradually enlarging, painless elastic mass at the secondary pacemaker pocket site, without local inflammatory signs, with normal inflammatory markers, and repeated negative blood cultures. Imaging demonstrated a large cystic collection surrounding the pacemaker. Surgical exploration was performed and a large volume of odourless, thick, yellowish fluid was evacuated from a fibrous capsule. Complete extraction of the pacing system was undertaken. Fluid microbiological cultures were negative and histopathological analysis revealed a chronic, nonspecific fibro-inflammatory granulomatous process. A leadless transcatheter pacemaker was implanted with favourable clinical and procedural outcomes. Conclusions: This case highlights the complexity of decision-making in a late-onset large fluid accumulation within the device pocket when clinical and microbiological evidence of infection is lacking, and the etiology remains uncertain. The local tissue findings, after the pocket has been opened and drained, along with the distinct clinical characteristics of each case, must ultimately define the therapeutic strategy. In high-risk patients with diagnostic uncertainty, leadless pacing systems provide an effective strategy for definitive rhythm management while minimising the risk of future infection.

Background: Human exposure to microplastics (MPs) is an emerging public health concern, yet their presence and pathological significance in gastric tissues remain poorly understood. This study investigated suspected MP-like particles in human gastric autopsy specimens, examining their association with histopathological changes and routine biochemical parameters. Methods: A retrospective post-mortem study was conducted on gastric tissue samples from 55 adults who underwent autopsies between 2022 and 2025. Tissue samples were digested using a hydrogen peroxide method, vacuum-filtered, stained with Nile Red, and quantified via ImageJ. Histopathological evaluation using hematoxylin–eosin staining and polarized light microscopy identified tissue-embedded suspected MP-like particles and assessed inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. Data were analyzed based on suspected MP-like particle detection status. Results: Suspected gastric MP-like particles were detected in 15 of 55 cases (27.3%). Most positive cases exhibited a low particle burden (median 1/g). Polarized light microscopy additionally served as a technical assessment tool, revealing birefringent structures measuring 26–84 μm within the gastric mucosa or lumen. All suspected MP-like particle-positive cases showed gastric inflammation compared to 35.0% of suspected MP-like particle-negative cases. Fibrosis and necrosis occurred exclusively in the suspected MP-like particle-positive group but lacked statistical significance. No significant associations were found between suspected MP-like particle detection and demographics, comorbidities, or systemic biochemical markers. Conclusions: Suspected gastric MP-like particles were identified in over a quarter of autopsy tissues and were strongly associated with localized gastric inflammation.