BackgroundBranchial cleft anomalies constitute a frequently encountered and commonly non-lethal disease in otolaryngology, and result from aberrant embryonic development. The third branchial cleft fistula is one of the four known specific types of branchial cleft anomalies, and always presents as recurrent neck abscess and suppurative thyroiditis. Here, we report an unexpected death due to severe neck infection following a third branchial cleft fistula.Case presentationA 19-year-old man was sent to the hospital with a 1-week history of recurrent left-sided neck abscess, and was scheduled for incision and drainage of the abscess. However, before the surgery was performed, the man’s condition deteriorated and he died. A review of his medical history showed that he had undergone a previous incision and drainage for a neck abscess 2 years ago. Postmortem examination revealed that the fatal neck abscess was induced by a third branchial cleft fistula.ConclusionsWe conclude that a histopathological examination of neck tissue combined with a detailed review of medical history and examination of ultrasonographic and CT images can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis of third branchial cleft fistula. This common, non-lethal disease can potentially lead to death if the neck infection is not properly diagnosed and treated. In medico-legal practice, medical examiners should be aware of this condition, as this knowledge would be important in the diagnosis of the cause of death.
The group combustion characteristics of core–shell nanothermite particles differ from other dispersed solid or liquid fuels. In a core–shell structure, each discrete nanothermite particle can undergo an exothermic reaction as the oxygen atoms in the metal oxide shell undergo a solid state diffusion to oxidize the metal core. This feature allows the spherical core–shell nanothermites to react in the absence of gaseous oxygen, thus modifying their group combustion characteristics compared to char or liquid fuels. Using a number of simplifying assumptions, a theoretical framework was established—based on existing group combustion theory—to examine the characteristics of mass and heat diffusion in nanothermite combustion. First, a model for the quasi-steady state single-particle combustion, in quiescent air, was established. The isolated particle combustion theory serves as the basis for the combustion interaction and mass transfer in a spherical cloud of dispersed nanothermite particles. The type of group combustion is strongly dependent on the diffusion of vapour products, i.e., the interaction is more pronounced when the diffusion of vapour products is higher. The group combustion regimes in dispersed nanothermites were identified and delineated.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.