Death Related to Nitrous Oxide Abuse: Two Cases Report.
10.7580/kjlm.2017.41.3.83
- Author:
Ji Min KIM
1
;
Misun CHOI
;
Han Na KIM
;
Hye Jeong KIM
;
Taewha BAEK
;
Minsung CHOI
;
Hongil HA
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Nitrous oxide;
Inhalant abuse;
Death;
Autopsy;
Toxicology
- MeSH:
Autopsy;
Cause of Death;
Inhalant Abuse;
Inhalation;
Korea;
Nitrous Oxide*;
Toxicology
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2017;41(3):83-85
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Nitrous oxide is medically used as an anesthetic gas and as an additive in whipped cream production. Few cases of death from nitrous oxide intoxication have been reported in Korea. However, fatalities due to inhalation of pure nitrous oxide in an amount enough to cause death have been recently increasing. We report two cases of death related to nitrous oxide abuse with a review of literature focusing on the fact that nitrous oxide abuse can be considered as a possible cause of death if appliances with nitrous oxide contents were found during the investigation, and the autopsy and toxicological findings cannot be attributed to nitrous oxide intoxication.
