Citation

Nishi K, Yanagawa Y, Hagiwara A. West Indian Med. J. 2010; 59(1): 113-114.

Affiliation

National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, University of The West Indies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20931929

Abstract

A 57-year old female civilian was suffocated by an intruder. The victim (experienced severe dyspnoea) but violently resisted the assault. Two hours after this event, on admission to a Trauma Centre, she demonstrated left facial swelling with low percutaneous oxygen saturation. Chest X-ray and computed tomography demonstrated pulmonary oedema. This improved dramatically within a short time and she was discharged on the 5th hospital day. Pulmonary oedema induced by suffocation has been reported only rarely. The possible mechanisms by which pulmonary oedema might form after the relief of airway obstruction are discussed.

Language: en