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Pulmonary Aspiration of Brain Matter in a Motor Vehicle Fatality: A Case Study
Carmen Zenda Weyers1, Musa Aubrey Makhoba, Ryan Blumenthal
1From the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pretoria, Prinshof Campus, Pretoria, South Africa.
Abstract:
We present the case of an adult man who was involved in a motor vehicle accident as a driver. Histological examination of the lung tissue showed the presence of brain tissue within the lumens of the bronchi and bronchioles. Aspiration of brain matter is a rare phenomenon, with only 1 case described in the literature. The finding of brain tissue within the bronchi and terminal bronchioles supports the scenario of a period of agonal respiration with consequent cerebral aspiration. This article adds to the limited literature, distinguishing antemortem or agonal aspiration from postmortem passive movement.

