Cervical Soft Tissue Emphysema in Hanging-A Prospective Autopsy Study

:  The underlying mechanism of cervical soft tissue emphysema (CSTE) in hanging remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of CSTE in cases of hanging. The sample included 83 deceased persons, average age 55.3 ± 17.9 years. CSTE was established in 44 cases. CSTE is present...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences 2012-01, Vol.57 (1), p.132-135
Main Authors: Nikolic, Slobodan, Zivkovic, Vladimir, Babic, Dragan, Jukovic, Fehim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Asphyxia - pathology
Autopsies
Case-Control Studies
cervical airways trauma
cervical soft tissue emphysema
Female
Forensic Pathology
forensic science
Forensic sciences
hanging
Humans
Macklin Effect
Male
Middle Aged
Neck
Neck - pathology
Neck Injuries - pathology
Prospective Studies
Subcutaneous Emphysema - pathology
Tissues
Trauma
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Summary::  The underlying mechanism of cervical soft tissue emphysema (CSTE) in hanging remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of CSTE in cases of hanging. The sample included 83 deceased persons, average age 55.3 ± 17.9 years. CSTE was established in 44 cases. CSTE is presented as frothy air, soap bubble‐like formations in superficial and/or deep connective tissue between the neck muscles up to the ligature mark, visible during gross neck examination, using special neck autopsy technique—preparation of the neck organs in layers. The interpretation of positive CSTE must be taken with caution: it could be an antemortem phenomenon possibly because of either Macklin Effect or direct or indirect trauma to the cervical airways, as well as an ante‐ or postmortem artifact.
ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01911.x