Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Murine Surgical Model of Topical Elastase Induced Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Published on: August 24, 2019
[A case of survived compression of the thorax by kneeling on it--"burking"?]
Claas T Buschmann1, Frank Rosenbaum, Michael Tsokos
1Aus dem Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
Abstract:
The authors describe the case of a 27-year-old Vietnamese shoplifter who was caught by two shop detectives and suffered traumatic and mechanical asphyxia due to obstruction of the respiratory excursion and pressure against the neck. The man surprisingly survived the incident without any neurological damage, although the emergency doctor called to the scene diagnosed a score of 4 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. Whether the term "burking" applies to the described case depends on which of the various definitions in the literature is used.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
