CAFE CORONARY
CAFE CORONARY is a rare condition in which a mostly healthy but grossly intoxicated person (restaurant patron) who begins to eat a meal suddenly turns blue, coughs violently, then collapses and dies, without much fuss. Death appears to be due to a sudden heart attack. At autopsy, a large piece of the poorly chewed food (a large bolus or a piece of meat) may obstruct the larynx.
A blow on the back or the sternum may cause coughing and expel the foreign body. If this is not successful, the foreign body must be removed from the hypopharynx with the middle and index fingers or with the help of forceps.
PM FINDINGS OF CAFE CORONARY
- The foreign body which caused the occlusion of ai- passages will be found in the part of the mouth, larynx, or trachea.
- When food or vomit is inhaled, particles of food can be found embedded in thick mucus within the trachea and bronchi. Some particles may even travel into the bronchioles. This situation differs from cases where food is pushed up the esophagus and ends up in the larynx after death.
- Signs of asphyxia will be seen.
Gagging-Choking | Forensic Pathology Online. http://www.forensicpathologyonline.com/e-book/asphyxia/gagging-choking