BackHome                               Circumstances
  • •Homicidal – robbery
                           Gags sometimes are used to mute the victim
                           Can lead to death
 
                          
  • •Accidental
         In children- small toys, balls
         In adults   - alcoholism
                         - intoxication with drugs
                         - senility( associated with neurological disorders )
                         - mental retardation
•Massive aspiration of food
            -café coronary
•      Presence of food in the air way does not necessarily mean that the individual choked to death
         e.g. agonal aspiration/ PM artefacts / Resuscitation ( food stuff in mouth larynx during intubation)

 

    • Instances where choking can be seen

•Abnormal position while eating

•Dry mouth-xerostomia

•Emotional outburst

•Blow on to the mouth

Seizures

 

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Loss of consciousness

Accumulation of  soot on the lining membrane 

  • •

    Obstruction of air passage can be seen in following situations;

    • Allergic reaction - laryngeal edema

    • Infection - epiglottitis

    • Inflammation following neck trauma

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Epiglottitis - swollen mucous membrane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same case of epiglottitis - The glottis cut on the midline and spread to either side to show pus in yellowish colour