[Death in bronchial asthma. Findings and forensic importance]

In 23,707 forensical and 25,564 clinical post-mortem examinations a total number of 196 deaths from bronchial asthma were determined retrospectively. Furthermore investigated were 29 cases in which asthma had the importance of a pathological side finding. Described are the histories, epidemiological data as well as morphological and histological findings. The characteristic morphological triad of thickening of the epithelial basement membrane, hypertrophy of the muscle coat in the bronchi and mucus plugging were found in almost all cases of asthma death. Regarding to forensical and insurance medical aspects it is important to consider the accompanying circumstances and supporting facts of the death, therapeutical procedures and death causing concurrent non-natural organ damages. They form the basis for reproaches in terms of neglected help or accidental homicide and can call the way of death in question,--which is illustrated in examples.