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Case Reports
. 2024 Oct 22;16(10):e72103.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.72103. eCollection 2024 Oct.

A Rare Case of Sudden Fatal Airway Obstruction Caused by an Undiagnosed Laryngeal Lesion

Teodora Kiryakova  1   2 , Iviana Yovchevska  3 , Veselin Tihchev  4 , Alexandar Alexandrov  5 , Ivan I Tsranchev  6
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Rare Case of Sudden Fatal Airway Obstruction Caused by an Undiagnosed Laryngeal Lesion

Teodora Kiryakova et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Mechanical asphyxia is a severe condition caused by a physical blockage that impedes breathing in the upper airways, trachea, and lungs. We present a case of a 39-year-old man who died suddenly at home while getting ready for work. He had previously experienced shortness of breath and a sore throat. Despite consulting a pulmonologist, who ruled out lung diseases, no other specialist evaluations were conducted. We performed a comprehensive forensic investigation, including collecting medical history and criminological data, a forensic autopsy, and subsequent toxicological and histological analyses. The autopsy revealed a benign laryngeal lesion that completely blocked the upper airways. The cause of death was determined to be acute obstruction, leading to mechanical asphyxia. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive and timely medical evaluations to prevent serious life-threatening complications.

Keywords: acute airway obstruction; angiomixoid laryngeal polyp; benign laryngeal lesion; forensic medicine; mechanical asphyxia; pathophysiology; sudden death; undiagnosed lesion.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Vibices on the skin of the face, neck, and upper thorax
Figure 2
Figure 2. Petechial hemorrhages of the eyelids
Figure 3
Figure 3. Laryngeal lesion, blocking the larynx
Figure 4
Figure 4. The laryngeal tumor, attached to the vocal cord
Figure 5
Figure 5. Left lung with petechial hemorrhages (black arrows) and atelectasis (white arrows)
Figure 6
Figure 6. Right lung with petechial hemorrhages (black arrows) and atelectasis (white arrows)
Figure 7
Figure 7. General histological image of the laryngeal polyp (HE, x10): myxoid edematous stromal changes, stromal hyalinization (white arrows), and telangiectatic blood vessels (black arrows)
Figure 8
Figure 8. Laryngeal angiomyxoid polyp with bacterial colonies (HE, x40)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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