asphyxia notes by dr. armaan singh
TRANSCRIPT
ASPHYXIA NOTES ASPHYXIA NOTES BY- DR. ARMAAN SINGHBY- DR. ARMAAN SINGH
It is a condition that if oxygen supply to the blood and tissues is reduced because of interference with respiration,it is also called Anoxia\Anoxaemia\Hypoxia.
Causes of asphyxiaObstruction to the air passages due to
hanging,strangulation or throttling.Causes of external respiratory orifices,as in
smothering.Occlusion of the air passages within as in
drowning or laryngeal spasm.Pressure on the chest,as in traumatic asphyxia
Inhalation of irrespirable gases like carbon monoxide.
Spasm of the respiratory muscles,as in strychnine poisoning.
Paralysis of the respiratory center,as by narcotics and anesthetics.
Obstruction to the upper respiratory passage in cases of angioneurotic oedema.
Features of asphyxia
Cyanosis,capillary dilatation,capillary stasis,rise of capillary pressure.
Increased capillary permeability,Tardieu’s spots and relaxation of sphincters.
Asphyxia
Reduction in o2 tension
Deficient oxygenation in lungs
Capillary dilatationReduced pulmonary flow Capillary stasisDiminished venous
return to heart Capillary engorgement
Stasis of blood in organs
Hanging
Hanging is a form of asphyxial death which is caused by the suspension of the body by ligature which encircles the neck,the constricting force being the weight of the body.
Complete hangingWhen feet do not touch the ground and the
weight of the body acts as a constricting force.
Partial hangingWhen the weight of the head and not the
whole body acts as a constricting force is known as partial hanging.
Typical hangingThe ligature is situated in the midline above
the thyroid cartilage and runs symmetrically upwards on both sides of the neck to the occipital region.
Atypical hangingAny variation of this standard position.
Ligature
Not particular,like ropes,chains,wire,leather straps,belts,scarf,dhoti,sarees etc.
Its important to match the ligature with the ligature mark and see if its strong enough to bear the weight and jerk of the body.
Cut the ligature away from the knot.
Symptoms So rapid that they are rarely observed.Flashes of lights before the eyes,ringing in
the ears.Unconsciousness and death.The individual can do nothing to help
himself even if it were possible.Respiration stops before the heart which
may continue for 10-15min.
Causes of death Asphyxia
Ligature forces the tongue up and occludes air,15kg tension occludes the trachea.
Cerebral congestion
Obstruction of jugular veins by compression with 2kg wt tension.
Cerebral anoxia Carotid artery occludes with 4-5kgs tension
and vertebral artery with 20kgs tension.
Reflex vagal inhibition.
Fracture dislocation of cervical spine t the level of 2,3,and 4 vertebrae.
Combination of any of the above.
Postmortem appearance External appearance.
Internal appearance.
External appearance -Above the ligature.
-Beneath the ligature.
-Below the ligature.
Above the ligature markTilt of the head.Protrusion of tongue.Dribbling of saliva.Le Facia Sympathique.Tardieu spots.Congestion of the face.Petecheal haemorrhages.Middle ear haemorrhages.
Beneath the ligatureFixed or running noose.Position of the knot.Course of the ligature.Width and multiplicity.Point of suspension.Slipping of ligature.Weight of the body.
Below the ligature
Postmortem lividity (Glove and Stocking)
Relaxation of sphincters.
Injury to legs.(partial hanging)
Internal appearanceHaemorrhages in the neck.Dry,white and glistening.Rupture of platysma and sternomastoid.Transverse tear in the intima of carotid
artery.Fracture of hyoid,cricoid and thyroid
cartilages.Congestion of organs.Petechial haemorrhages.
DiagnosisLigature mark around the neck.Presence of abrasions,echymosis and
redness around the ligature mark.Trickling saliva from the mouth.Echymosis of larynx and trachea.Rupture of intima of carotids.Signs of asphyxia.
Medico-Legal Aspects Was the death due to hanging? Whether hanging was suicidal,homicidal or
accidental?Typical oblique,non-continuous,high up
ligature mark.Abrasions and echymosis above and below
the ligature mark.Extravasation-tear of the intima of the
carotids.Saliva and signs of asphyxia.
Suic idal Usually full suspension.Ligature tied to beam,hook,fan,tree etc.Suspension without any platform is unusual
in suicide.Occasional nail mark-may be self inflicted
while trying to free him\herself.Suicidal note.
Homicidal
Extremely rare,except in case of lynching.
Difficult,unless the victim is unconscious by injury or by drugs.
Marks of violence may be seen on the body.
Postmortem hanging\Suspension
Person murdered and the dead body suspended to simulate suicide.
Usually the rope is tied first to the neck and then around the beam\hook where beam shows evidence of rope being pulled from below upwards.
Ligature mark may be produced if the body is suspended within 2hrs after death.
Judicial hangingDrop of 5-7meters.Fracture dislocation at cervical 2-3 or 3-4.Transection of spinal cord.Tear of intima of carotid artery.Injury to pons and medulla
Strangulation
It’s a form of asphyxial death caused by the constriction of neck by ligature or by any means without suspending the body.
By ligature. Manual strangulation
Or Throttling.
Autopsy f indingExternally-usually those of asphyxia.
Ligature markWell defined,slightly depressed at any level
on the neck-usually at the level of thyroid cartilage or below.
Encircles the neck transversely-more prominently at the front than the sides.
It may be interrupted by clothing or victims finger or ornaments.
May be oblique if the victim is sitting and assailant is standing.
Fold marks on neckSeen in infants and children with short
neck.Tight collar may produce a mark similar.Examination of ligature-for blood,fragments
of epidermis,hair or other substances.Sign of struggle.
InternalLaceration of muscles.Hyoid bone fracture usually not seen.Fracture thyroid is more common.Fracture of cricoid is rare,but if pressure is
used may be seen.Organs are congested.
Medico-Legal aspects SuicideIts rare but possible.cord may be used and
twisted with a stick.Congestion is very prominent because of
slow obstruction.
HomicideCommon form of murder-associated with
sexual offences.Infanticide-by strangulation with umbilical
cord.Evidence of struggle,surprise attack,under
intoxication,weak personality.
Common methods of Homicidal strangulation
Throttling Compression of neck by hands.Bruises produced by tips of fingers.More force is used than is necessary.Marks of thumb on one side and fingers on other
side.Pressure of nails produce cresentic marks with or
without incision,concavities follow anatomical shape of the nail margin and nails with straight border give unpredictable results.
Hyoid bone fracture and bruising can be seen with careful neck dissection.
Bansdola Practiced in north India.Bamboo or sticks are used.
GarrottingVictim is attacked from behind without
warning,ligature thrown round the neck and tightened.
Mugging Strangulation by holding the neck in the bend of the
elbow/knee.
Accidental strangulationChildren may get entangled during play.Infants are strangled in their cots,when the
neck is caught in sidebars.Alcoholics,epileptics and insane persons are
susceptible for accidental strangulation.
Suffocation It’s a form of asphyxia caused by mechanical
obstruction to air passage due to causes other than constriction of the neck.
SmotheringIt’s a form of asphyxia caused by closure of
external respiratory passage either by hand or other means,or introduction of foreign materials like cloth or paper etc.
Medico-Legal importance SuicideNot possible by hands.Possible by means of tying polythene bag over
the head/burring the face in mattress.Creating suffocation in the closed and non-
ventilated rooms.
HomicidalPossible when victim is incapacitated by
drugs/alcohol,can be smothered.
AccidentalInfants/children by weight of clothes etc.While playing with plastic bags.In adults-plastic bags for auto erotic exercise as
partial anoxia enhances sexual sensation.Mothers-during breast feeding.
Postmortem findings.Asphyxial signs.Abrasions & bruises around the lips and cheeks.Injuries on inner side of lips.
Gagging It results from closure of mouth by a cloth
or similar material causing obstruction to the larynx or force the base of the tongue against the fauces.
Overlying Compression of chest to prevent breathing.Mother infants.Forceful pressure over the chest.
Burking Method of homicidal smothering.Practiced by “Burk” and “Hare”
Chocking Caused by obstruction within air passage.Usually accidental.From diseases-Diphtheria,laryngeal
spasm,infection etc.
Inward fracture
Seen in throttling-main force is an inward compression on the hyoid bone.
Fingers squeeze the greater horns towards each other,due to which the bone may be fractured and post fragments displaced inwards.
Antero-posterior compression fracture
In case of hanging,the hyoid bone is forced directly backwards due to which,the divergence of greater horns is increased which may fracture with outward displacement of the posterior small fragments.
Ligature strangulation,run over accidents.
Avulsion fracture
Very rare and is due to over activity of neck muscles without direct action or injury to hyoid bone.
Incidence- Hanging 15-20% above 40yrs age.Very common in throttling.
Diagnosis of throttl ing Cutaneous bruising and abrasions.Extensive bruising with/without rupture of
neck muscles.Engorgement at/above the constriction.Fracture of larynx,thyroid cartilage and
hyoid bone.Cricoid I almost exclusively fractured in
case of throttling.Asphyxial signs.
Chocking
Obstruction within the air passages.Accidental inhalation of food when the victim is
laughing or crying.Vomited material may be inhaled by a person
under the influence of drink or anesthetic drug.Large food bolus,piece of meet seeds or
fish,teeth(loose),marbles in children.From diseases-diphtheria,laryngeal
edema,bronchial growths.Hemorrhages.
Café coronary Impaction of food in the sensitive larynx causes
sudden death due to cardiac arrest.Healthy intoxicated person in hotel while eating
suddenly turns blue,coughs violently-collapses and dies.
At autopsy a large food bolus seen in the respiratory tract-larynx obstructing air passage.
Signs of chocking are absent because of high blood alcohol which inhibits the gag reflex.
Post-mortem appearance-the foreign body is embedded in a thick mucus in the trachea.
Traumatic asphyxiaIts due to respiratory arrest due to mechanical
fixation of chest so that the respiratory movements are prevented.
E.g.:Stampede in a theatre or in places where crowded gatherings are there.Fall of earth-coal mines,tunneling accidents etc.
Post-mortem appearancesAn intense deep purple red colour of the
head,neck and upper part of chest above the level of constriction.
Sexual asphyxias Partial asphyxia causes cerebral disturbances
with feeling of sexual gratification. Pressure on carotids/trachea leads to
hallucinations of an erotic nature.Associated with masochism and transvestitism.Usually can be seen in young males.Place-victims own house-bed/bath room.Padding of neck.
Ligature,a running noose,the free end of which is tied to limb,weight of the body is used to control the ligature.
Naked,pornographic literature etc.Its due to retrograde displacement of blood
from superior venacava into subclavian veins of the head and neck due to sudden compression of the chest blood does not enter the upper limbs due to the valves.
Blood goes into the valve less veins of the head & neck causing stasis and engorgement of the vessels and rupture of the distal venules and capillaries causing petecheal hemorrhages.
If patient survives-purple colour gradually disappears within 14-15 days.
Drowning
Drowning is a form of asphyxial death due to aspiration of fluid into the air passages by submersion of the body in water or fluid medium.
Complete submersion not necessary,submersion of nose and mouth is enough.
Classif ication Typical Atypical
Typical drowningObstruction of air passages and lungs by
inhalation of fluid and is known as “Wet drowning”.
Typical signs are found at autopsy.
Atypical drowningConditions in which there is very little or no
inhalation of water or fluid in the air passages.
Dry drowning.Immersion syndrome(vagal inhibition).Submersion of the unconscious.Secondary drowning syndrome/near-
drowning.
Typical drowningFresh water drowning.Salt water drowning.
Fresh water drowningWater cross the alveolar membrane into the circulation.Produces marked hypervolaemia.Red cells swell or burst-hemolysis-liberation of
potassium.Circulation will suffer 50% dilution within 2-3 min.
The heart is submitted to the insult of anoxia,hypervolaemia,potassium excess and sodium deficit.
Ventricular fibrillation due to anoxia and potassium excess within 4-5 min.
Salt water drowningMarked hypertonicity of the inhaled water cause
loss of fluid from circulation into the lungs-fulminating pulmonary edema and progressive hypovolaemia.
Circulatory shock and cardiac arrest.
Atypical drowning Dry drowningIntense laryngeal spasm due to entry of water
into nasopharynx and larynx.Very little water enters into lungs.Best case for resuscitation.
Immersion syndromeDue to sudden impact with very cold water and
causes death from cardiac arrest.Victims are young people with excess of alcohol.
It also result from falling or diving with feet or duck diving by the inexperienced swimmers.
Loss of consciousness instantaneous and death occurs in few minutes.
Autopsy disclose non of the usual signs of drowning.
Submersion of the unconsciousCommonly seen if the victim is suffering from
disease like epilepsy,heart diseases and is drunk or head injury during fall.
Ballooning of the lungs may be absent.Formation of the foam my be negligible.Complete picture of death by drowning is not
found.
Secondary drowning/near-drowningIts mainly due to infection from inhalation of
contaminated water.Lung complications,oxygen lack,tired heart
muscle and cerebral edema.
A victim look alert and breathing,may respond to initial resuscitation.
Late stage-respiratory distress,hypotension and cardiac arrhythmia may cause death.
Vicious cycle of drowning
Deep inspiration
Need for air Water enters resp.passage
Air driven out of lungs
Cough reflex
Medico legal aspectsWhether the death was due to drowning or other
cause?Length of time the body was in water.Whether it was accidental/suicidal/homicide?“Brides of the bath case”
Postmortem findings External findingsFine froth at the nose and mouth.its white or
rarely blood stained,leather-like,abundant and increases in amount with compression of the chest.
Rarely the presence of weeds,mud etc in the tightly clinched hand.
Cutis anserina(Goose skin)
Due to spasm of the erector pilae muscles and due to exposure to cold water at the time of death.
Rarely seen in India.Skin appears granular and puckered,with hair
standing on the end.Extremities are mainly affected.
The skin of the finger,palms and later the soles of the feet may be wrinkled,bleached and sodden.
Due to osmotic action of water,on thickened epidermis.
This immersion changes known as Hands and Feet of a Washer-Woman.
Internal findingsLungs & respiratory tract:-Airways filled with froth,sand,weeds etc found in
the water.Lungs are voluminous,edematous,doughy to feel
with rib markings.Paltauf’ hemorrhages seen.C/s:- Oozing out of blood stained frothy fluid and
ballooning of the lungs is known as “Emphysema Aquosum”.
Wt upto 2 kgs.
Watery fluid transudates into pleural cavities during putrefaction.
Hydrostatic lung:- 2meters depth-20min.Hemorrhages in the middle ear & mastoid air
cells.Water in the stomach & intestine.
Biochemical changes“Getlers test”Chloride content in chambers of the heart
normally 600mg/100ml.Chloride decreases by 50% in fresh water &
increases of 40% in salt water.Test is of doubtful value in -Septal defects -Putrefaction -Death due to vagal inhibition -Chloride in water
Biochemical changes“Getlers test”Chloride content in chambers of the heart
normally 600mg/100ml.Chloride decreases by 50% in fresh water &
increases of 40% in salt water.Test is of doubtful value in -Septal defects -Putrefaction -Death due to vagal inhibition -Chloride in water
Diatoms
Microscopic unicellular algae present in water.Silicaceous cell wall which resists acid
digestion,heat and putrefaction.Size 10-80 microns.Only a live body with a circulation can transport
diatoms from lungs to the brain or bone marrow.Isolation- acid digestion of tissue commonly bone
marrow,lung,blood and kidney-centrifugation and washing.residue is examined under phase contrast microscopy.
Cause of deathAsphyxiaVentricular fibrillationLaryngeal spasm.Vagal inhibition.Exhaustion.Injuries.Fatal period 4-8min.