A particular case of accidental asphyxiation.

A particular case of accidental asphyxiation.

Med Sci Law. 2017 Jan 01;:25802417747430

Authors: D'Ovidio C, Rosato E, Bonelli M, Carnevale A, Marsella LT

Abstract
The case reported involved a 60-year-old man with psychiatric illness who was found dead at his home. He was almost naked and showed signs of death by violent asphyxiation, which led to the suspicion of homicide. Autopsy findings showed foreign material in the trachea and larynx. However, the partially digested content in his stomach, the study of the gastric content and the microscopic analysis the airways made it possible to define this as accidental death due to inhalation of material from a diaper. Toxicological analysis detected the presence of phenytoin, valproic acid, and phenobarbital in his blood, with values within the therapeutic ranges. This is certainly a peculiar case, as particularly evident after careful review of the literature on deaths by asphyxiation in psychiatric patients. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of a full autopsy and microscopic evaluation of any foreign bodies.

PMID: 29283003 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://ift.tt/2BS9027