An unusual case of smothering by a medical nebulizer

• Published in: Journal of forensic and legal medicine Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 537 - 539
• Main Authors: Haj Salem, Nidhal, MD, Aissaoui, Abir, MD, Boughattas, Meriem, MD, Chadly, Ali, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2013; Churchill Livingstone Inc., Medical Publishers
• Subjects: Adult; Airway Obstruction - etiology; Airway Obstruction - pathology; Asphyxia; Asphyxia - etiology; Asphyxia - pathology; Autopsies; Autopsy; Commitment of Mentally Ill; Death & dying; Esophagus - pathology; Foreign Bodies - complications; Forensic Pathology; Forensic psychiatry; Humans; Male; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Paranoid Disorders - psychology; Pathology; Pharynx - pathology; Psychiatry; Smothering; Suffocation; Suicide; Smothering; Asphyxia; Suicide; Autopsy; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 1752-928X; 1878-7487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2013.02.006

Abstract The following report describes an unusual case of smothering by a medical nebulizer of a psychiatric in-patient and discusses the manner of death. A 43-year-old man, with previous medical history of paranoia was hospitalized at a psychiatric department because of a suicide attempt. He was found dead by the medical staff in the seclusion room. The patient is known suffering from asthma attacks treated by Ventoline® spray. Autopsy findings showed a ventoline's nebulizer impacting within the pharynx and in the upper part of oesophagus. These findings were compatible with a death by smothering. Smothering is an uncommon cause of suicide and is particularly observed in psychiatric patient. Suicidal death is established by the study of the circumstances and autopsy finding. This paper highlights the importance of a closer psychiatric in-patient residing in seclusion room.