Traumatic asphyxia: a rare clinical syndrome

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KARTAL M., GÖKSU E., YİĞİT Ö., AYDIN A.

HONG KONG JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE, vol.21, no.3, pp.185-188, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 21 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/102490791402100310
  • Journal Name: HONG KONG JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.185-188
  • Keywords: Cyanosis, retrobulbar hemorrhage, purpura, thoracic injuries
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Traumatic asphyxia is a rare clinical syndrome characterised by cyanosis, oedema and petechial haemorrhage of the face, neck and upper chest due to the sudden, transient and severe thoraco-abdominal compression trauma. The huge increase in intra-thoracic pressure caused by the compression constitutes all the symptoms. Although mortality and morbidity due to traumatic asphyxia can happen, most of the patients survive without any sequel. Herein, we report three cases of traumatic asphyxia assessed in our emergency department.