Sudden death due to butane abuse – An overview

IF 1.2 4区 医学 Q3 MEDICINE, LEGAL
Valeria Piersanti , Gabriele Napoletano , Maria Chiara David , Federica Umani Ronchi , Enrico Marinelli , Lina De Paola , Simona Zaami
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Volatile Solvents Abuse (VSA) poses major health risks, especially for young people and those living in precarious socio-economic conditions. Such substances can in fact bring about psychoactive effects such as euphoria, and even lead to sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory depression, myocardial infarction, laryngospasm, encephalopathy, and rhabdomyolysis. The present case report is centered around a 23-year-old man who died in prison due to inhalation of a cooker gas mixture (n-butane, propane, and isobutane) inside a plastic bag. External examination and autopsy showed non-specific signs of asphyxia associated with edema and brain swelling. Histological signs of early myocardial damage and hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII) were highlighted in the brain and cerebellum, as well as activated macrophages and anthracotic-like material in the lungs. Toxicological investigations revealed the presence of propane, isobutane and n-butane in liquids and biological samples. Besides the cardiotoxic effect, there was an asphyctic component due to the plastic bag that may have facilitated death. The assessment of cerebral HII and cardiopulmonary damage in acute cases is very important to prove death by butane inhalation. In the forensic field, it may be useful to shed more light on intoxications, deaths, and butane encephalopathies, as the latter can be mistaken for a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

丁烷滥用导致猝死 - 概述
滥用挥发性溶剂(VSA)对健康构成重大威胁,尤其是对年轻人和社会经济条件不稳定的人。事实上,这类物质会带来兴奋等精神作用,甚至导致心律失常、呼吸抑制、心肌梗塞、喉痉挛、脑病和横纹肌溶解等猝死。本病例报告的主人公是一名 23 岁的男子,他死于狱中,原因是吸入了装在塑料袋中的灶具混合气体(正丁烷、丙烷和异丁烷)。外部检查和尸体解剖显示出与水肿和脑肿胀相关的非特异性窒息症状。脑部和小脑有早期心肌损伤和缺氧缺血性损伤(HII)的组织学迹象,肺部有活化的巨噬细胞和炭疽样物质。毒理学调查显示,液体和生物样本中含有丙烷、异丁烷和正丁烷。除了心脏毒性作用外,塑料袋还含有窒息成分,这可能会导致死亡。评估急性病例中的脑 HII 和心肺损伤对于证明丁烷吸入致死非常重要。在法医领域,更多地了解中毒、死亡和丁烷脑病可能是有益的,因为后者可能被误认为是缺氧缺血性脑病。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
2.70
自引率
6.70%
发文量
106
审稿时长
57 days
期刊介绍: The Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine publishes topical articles on aspects of forensic and legal medicine. Specifically the Journal supports research that explores the medical principles of care and forensic assessment of individuals, whether adult or child, in contact with the judicial system. It is a fully peer-review hybrid journal with a broad international perspective. The Journal accepts submissions of original research, review articles, and pertinent case studies, editorials, and commentaries in relevant areas of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Context of Practice, and Education and Training. The Journal adheres to strict publication ethical guidelines, and actively supports a culture of inclusive and representative publication.
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