MCQ – 65939

Correct Answer � B Explanation

Ans:B.)Wet Drowning.

‘Emphysema aquosum’ is the term used to describe hyperexpanded and ‘waterlogged’ lungs seen in cases of wet drowning.

TYPES OF DROWNING

Wet Drowning

• In this the water is inhaled into lungs . This is of two types, i.e. Fresh water and Salt water drowning.
  • Haemodilatation (Fresh water drowning)
  • Haemoconcentration (Salt water drowning)

 Dry Drowning

• Water does not enter the lungs, but death results from immediate sustained laryngeal spasm due to inrush of water into the nasopharynx or larynx.

Secondary Drowning or Near Drowning/Postimmersion Syndrome

• Near Drowning is defined as initial survival at least beyond 24 hours of an individual after suffocation due to submersion in fluid. It does not necessarily lead to long-term survival and is associated with secondary complications, which require further medical management.

Immersion Syndrome or Hydrocution

• Hydrocution or immersion syndrome refers to sudden death in water due to vagal inhibition as a result of:
  • cold water stimulating the nerve endings of the surface of the body
  • horizontal entry into the water with a consequent strike on the epigastrium
  • cold water entering eardrums, nasal passage, and the pharynx and larynx which cause mucosal nerve ending stimulation.

Signs of Drowning

• Fine copious frothy discharge from mouth and nose.
• Water in stomach or intestines
• Diatoms in Bone marrow :Diatoms are ‘unicellular algae’ suspended in water.The extracellular coat of diatoms contains silica. 
• Emphysema aquosum is seen in wet drowning
• Edema aquosum is seen in drowning of unconscious.
• Cutis anserinus or goose skin
• Paultaf’s hemorrhages:subpleural hemorrhages as a result of alveolar wall rupture.
• Weeds, mud, grass in tightly clutched hands.
• Gettler test is done for drowning and estimates the chloride content of blood in both sides of heart.