J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  1999 Sep;10(3):487-492.

A Case of the Centrineurogenic Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Following by Near-hanging Injury

• Park HK
• Ko YG

Abstract

In suicidal hanging, a death often occurs within minutes. f rescued, most victims later succumb to the respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary edema, bronchopneumonia, delayed airway obstruction, and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Out of these, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema is likely due to neurogenic factors or negative intrathoracic pressure. A 36-year-old female was brought to the Department of Emergency Medicine after the suicidal hanging attempt. She was unconscious but responsive to painful stimuli. A laryngeal stridor was present. The lung sound of the patient's was dear. Fourteen hours after admission, a chest X-ray showed bilateral diffuse interstitial infiltrates in both lung fields, which was compatible with ARDS. The patient was intubated and placed on a volume respirator with PEEP. She improved over the next 48 hours and a repeat chest X-ray aim showed marked clearing of the infiltrates. We report on the pathophysiologic results of this pulmonary complication and the implication of this finding, regarding the treatment of the patient.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Airway Obstruction
Bronchopneumonia
Emergency Medicine
Female
Humans
Lung
Pulmonary Edema
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult*
Respiratory Insufficiency
Respiratory Sounds
Thorax
Ventilators, Mechanical