Sudden death from saccular laryngeal cyst.
Laryngeal cysts are benign, uncommon lesions of the larynx that have been reported on rare occasions to cause sudden death in infants and adults by acute airways obstruction. In this report, we document the sudden death of a 36-year-old woman from a previously undiagnosed, asymptomatic laryngeal saccular cyst that presented with acute, and consequent fatal, airway obstruction. Difficulty during intubation, both in theater and in emergency settings, is a frequent presenting problem. This can have significant medicolegal implications in determining possible negligence. The diagnosis, classification, and management of such cysts, and their importance to both the forensic pathologist and clinicians are discussed.
Kastowsky
Tina K
TK
Department of Forensic Medicine, Central Sydney Laboratory Service and University of New South Wales, 42-50 Parramatta Road, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia.
Stevenson
Melanie P
MP
Duflou
Johan A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology*; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid