Adult respiratory distress syndrome after attempted strangulation.
We describe a case of severe acute lung injury after attempted strangulation. The patient presented initially with cerebral irritability and florid, noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema which were followed by a prolonged period of the adult respiratory distress syndrome, severe sepsis and multiple system organ failure, although the patient eventually survived. The pulmonary injury following strangulation is proposed to be a result of the generation of marked subatmospheric pressures within the lungs during vigorous inspiration against an obstructed airway, although the processes involved in the so-called neurogenic pulmonary oedema are difficult to exclude.
Murphy
P G
PG
Department of Anaesthesia, General Infirmary, Leeds.
Jackson
R
R
Kirollos
R
R
Gibson
J S
JS
Chennells
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology