Asphyxiation by glottic impaction of nasal secretions.
An 84-year-old woman died suddenly 20 days after a head injury; a medical witness to the death described laboured breathing consistent with stridor. At postmortem examination, her larynx was found to be occluded by a firm mass of jelly-like material considered initially to be regurgitated food material. The microscopic features of this material were consistent with inspissated mucoid secretions from the nasopharynx. Relationship to cafe coronary and passage of a nasogastric tube are discussed.
Department of Forensic Pathology, Royal Infirmary, Cardiff, Wales.
S
S
Leadbeatter
A G
AG
Douglas-Jones
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000378:metabolism*