Postmortem computed tomography suggests the possibility of fatal asphyxiation by mochi, Japanese rice cakes: A case report of postmortem radiologic findings

Akihito Usui, Yusuke Kawasumi, Yoshiyuki Hosokai, Haruo Saito, Yoshie Hayashizaki, Masato Funayama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Reported risk factors for food/foreign body asphyxia include old age, poor dentition, and certain types of foods. The present report describes a rare autopsy case of a Japanese patient who ate mochi, a traditional rice cake, and died of asphyxiation. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) as part of the pre-autopsy screening showed an impacted mochi cake in the lower tracheal space, facilitating forensic autopsy planning. In this report, we discuss the role of MSCT in cases of fatal food choking.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)42-45
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Sept 1

Keywords

  • Asphyxiation
  • Autopsy
  • Fatal food choking
  • Multislice computed tomography
  • Postmortem CT
  • Virtual autopsy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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