Traumatic asphyxia, also known as "Perthes syndrome," occurs when a sudden, severe compressive force to the thoracoabdominal area prevents normal breathing. This forceful compression forces deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart and the great veins of the neck backward into the veins of the upper body and head.
| Grade | Signs | Consciousness | Prognosis | |-------|-------|---------------|------------| | | Facial petechiae, mild conjunctival injection, no edema | Fully alert | Excellent | | Moderate | Diffuse facial cyanosis, marked subconjunctival hemorrhages, facial edema | Confused, agitated | Good with O2 | | Severe | Dark purple/black head and neck, massive eyelid/lip swelling, bilateral hemotympanum | Comatose, seizures, decerebrate posturing | Guarded to poor | traumatic asphyxia signs and symptoms
It was a chaotic night at the emergency room. The sounds of sirens blaring and people shouting filled the air. Dr. Smith, an experienced ER physician, rushed to attend to a new patient. As she entered the trauma bay, she was met with a disturbing sight. Traumatic asphyxia, also known as "Perthes syndrome," occurs