Biomaterial Database

[Death in bronchial asthma. Findings and forensic importance]. 1993

D Oberbeck, and W Janssen, and C Petersen

Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Univ. Hamburg.

In 23,707 forensical and 25,564 clinical post-mortem examinations a total number of 196 deaths from bronchial asthma were determined retrospectively. Furthermore investigated were 29 cases in which asthma had the importance of a pathological side finding. Described are the histories, epidemiological data as well as morphological and histological findings. The characteristic morphological triad of thickening of the epithelial basement membrane, hypertrophy of the muscle coat in the bronchi and mucus plugging were found in almost all cases of asthma death. Regarding to forensical and insurance medical aspects it is important to consider the accompanying circumstances and supporting facts of the death, therapeutical procedures and death causing concurrent non-natural organ damages. They form the basis for reproaches in terms of neglected help or accidental homicide and can call the way of death in question,--which is illustrated in examples.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D001980	Bronchi	The larger air passages of the lungs arising from the terminal bifurcation of the TRACHEA. They include the largest two primary bronchi which branch out into secondary bronchi, and tertiary bronchi which extend into BRONCHIOLES and PULMONARY ALVEOLI.	Primary Bronchi,Primary Bronchus,Secondary Bronchi,Secondary Bronchus,Tertiary Bronchi,Tertiary Bronchus,Bronchi, Primary,Bronchi, Secondary,Bronchi, Tertiary,Bronchus,Bronchus, Primary,Bronchus, Secondary,Bronchus, Tertiary
D002423	Cause of Death	Factors which produce cessation of all vital bodily functions. They can be analyzed from an epidemiologic viewpoint.	Causes of Death,Death Cause,Death Causes
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003645	Death, Sudden	The abrupt cessation of all vital bodily functions, manifested by the permanent loss of total cerebral, respiratory, and cardiovascular functions.	Sudden Death
D005104	Expert Testimony	Presentation of pertinent data by one with special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject.	Expert Opinion,Expert Witness,Expert Opinions,Expert Testimonies,Expert Witnesses,Opinion, Expert,Testimony, Expert,Witness, Expert,Witnesses, Expert
D005260	Female		Females
D005858	Germany	A country in central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark. The capital is Berlin.