Abstract
The present study reports the cause of death of a 30 year old male victim of fire. Autopsy findings reveal gross laryngeal oedema with narrowing of the air passage. The burn injuries involved about 30% of the total body surface area. The signs of asphyxia were quite prominent on autopsy. The person suffered from inhalation injuries along with burn injuries. A thorough literature review brought forth the fact that, a timely intubation could have saved his life.
Highlights
Laryngeal oedema can result from various causes like inhalation of flame or irritant gases, infections, anaphylactic reactions, tumours, foreign bodies etc
The morbidity and mortality increases when burn injury is associated with smoke inhalation as mentioned in literatures [1,2]
Laryngeal oedema may occur as part of generalised oedema with large body surface area burns >40%
Summary
Laryngeal oedema can result from various causes like inhalation of flame or irritant gases, infections, anaphylactic reactions, tumours, foreign bodies etc. Some highly water soluble gases like sulphur dioxide, ammonia and hydrogen chloride react with water in the mucous membranes of the upper airway. This produces strong acids and alkalis leading to irritation, ulceration and oedema of the mucosal surface. The patient belonged to a rural area where he was admitted to a peripheral health centre Their treatment records revealed that he had pulse 120/min. Blood pressure 90/70 mm Hg, pallor, cyanosis, dehydration, cold clammy skin and chest crepitations He was given IV fluids and haemacoel, IV antibiotics and pentaprazole along with dressing of the burns. Autopsy of the body was conducted some 14 hours after his death
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