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Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 2/2011

01-03-2011 | CASE REPORT

Delayed asphyxia due to inhalation injury

Authors: Tony Fracasso, Andreas Schmeling

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

We report the case of a 53-year-old man who was found dead in his apartment 2 days after a little fire during which he had suffered from second to third degree burns at 2% of the body surface, also involving the skin around the mouth and the nose. At autopsy, severe acute emphysema and mucopurulent obstructive laryngotracheobronchitis were observed. The histology showed desquamative loss of the respiratory epithelium up to the middle bronchi; the bronchial lumen was filled with clumps of mucopurulent secretions mixed with necrotic epithelial cells. The cause of death was a delayed asphyxia due to inhalation injury.
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Metadata
Title
Delayed asphyxia due to inhalation injury
Authors
Tony Fracasso
Andreas Schmeling
Publication date
01-03-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0458-0

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