title: An unusual suicide: asphyxia by methane gas.
abstract: Asphyxia by suffocating gases, that is, methane or carbon dioxide, is characterized by the displacement of oxygen from inspired air. Thus, the cells are unable to receive oxygen and, as a consequence, are affected by acute hypoxemic hypoxia. The brain suffers because of the hypoxemic state, the subject become unconscious, and then, respiration arrest occurs, followed by cardiac arrest. This is the physiopathologic mechanism leading to death.We report a case of a 35-year-old man found dead at home with his mouth containing a tube linked to the domestic methane gas system originating from the wall, sealed with packing tape.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical School, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De-Giorgio
authors.forename: Vincenzo M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: Vincenzo L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Pascali
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lancia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000473:pathology; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008697:Methane / Q000506:poisoning*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000473:pathology; D011693:Purpura / Q000473:pathology; D013405:Suicide
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D008697:Methane