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Fatal air embolism during female autoerotic practice
1Service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques/Médecine légale, Hĵpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Air embolism can occur during pregnancy and from vaginal insufflation. A case report highlights a non-pregnant woman experiencing air embolism after vaginal insertion of a foreign body, suggesting underdiagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Medicine
- Toxicology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Air embolism is a known complication during pregnancy, often associated with attempted abortions via syringing.
- Vaginal insufflation during orogenital sex can also lead to air embolism in pregnant individuals.
Observation:
- A case of air embolism is presented in a 40-year-old non-pregnant woman.
- The embolism occurred after autoerotic vaginal insertion of a foreign body (carrot).
- An intrauterine device may have contributed by stripping the endometrium, facilitating air entry.
Findings:
- The mechanism of air embolism in this case is similar to syringing, with the foreign body acting as a piston.
- Venous spaces, potentially opened by endometrial stripping, allowed air to enter the circulation.
Implications:
- This case suggests that air embolism from foreign body insertion can occur in non-pregnant women.
- Such incidents may be underdiagnosed or unreported, especially in autoerotic contexts.
- Increased awareness among medical professionals is needed to identify and manage these potentially fatal events.
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