Sudden asphyxial death due to an esophageal leiomyoma

Esophageal Causes of Sudden and Unexpected Death

“…Critical narrowing of the airway may also be due to intrinsic lesions such as lipomas and fibrovascular polyps. In-traesophageal lipomas are uncommon tumors that may very rarely cause sufficient tracheal compression to compromise respiration (9). Fibrovascular polyps, although benign, are pedunculated tumorlike masses that may reach sufficient size to cause sudden death from laryngeal and glottic occlusion (10).…”

Iatrogenic Swallowing of Dentures With Resultant Tracheal Compression Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Case Report

“…A wide variety of etiologies of extrinsic tracheal compression have been reported, including peritracheal abscess, paratracheal lymphadenopathy, parathyroid cysts, esophageal intramural hematoma, thyroid goiters, thyroid tumors, right-sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery, double aortic arch, Kommerell diverticulum, innominate artery aneurysm, aortic arch aneurysm, esophageal schwannoma, achalasia, vertebral column deformities (ie, straight back syndrome), chest well deformities, and plombage. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Presenting complaints of tracheal compression often included dyspnea, stridor, cough, and a lump sensation in throat. Asphyxiation via tracheal compression has been reported in the case of an esophageal leiomyoma.…”

“…Plastic (methylmethacrylate) dentures are radiolucent. 15,19 Most dentures have either plastic or composite artificial teeth which are difficult to identify on x-ray. Rarely, the teeth are porcelain and these can appear on chest x-ray as shadows, but their attachment to the base by metal pins are easily discernable.…”

“…Rarely, the teeth are porcelain and these can appear on chest x-ray as shadows, but their attachment to the base by metal pins are easily discernable. 15 Metal partial dentures or dentures with metal components, such as wire retainer or clasps can be seen on radiographs. 20 The identification of these metal pieces can be missed on a regular frontal view radiograph that can be identified on a lateral neck view, but only 22% of reported aspirated dentures had radiopaque metal components.…”

“…21 Acrylic dentures can be more readily discernible by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. 15 Without a history of swallowing or aspiration of dentures, the diagnosis can be easily missed.…”