title: Parapharyngeal abscess and sudden death.
abstract: This case-report illustrates a sudden asphyctic death of a 68-year-old female caused by an inflammatory obstruction in the upper airway. The autopsy revealed a peritonsillar-retropharyngeal abscess. Possible explanations for this rapid and lethal progress of a tonsillar infection are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osculati
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fassina