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Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Trachea Resulting in Fatal Asphyxia
Author(s) -
Huston Butch,
Froloff Victor,
Mills Kelly,
McGee Michael
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13236
Subject(s) - asphyxia , adenoid cystic carcinoma , medicine , autopsy , forensic pathology , cause of death , carcinoma , adenoid , sudden death , surgery , pathology , pediatrics , disease
Abstract Primary malignant tumors of the trachea are uncommon. The authors report a case of a 72‐year‐old female who died from asphyxia due to an undiagnosed obstructing adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea. The decedent became unresponsive while eating cereal and was pronounced upon arrival at the local hospital. The autopsy revealed a near occlusive tumor mass just superior to the bifurcation of the distal trachea. There was no evidence of aspiration. The death was the result of asphyxia due to obstruction of the trachea by an adenoid cystic carcinoma. This case demonstrates that an obstructive tumor mass may remain undiagnosed until an obstructive episode results in a sudden death.