Asphyxial deaths: emphysema aquosum: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Asphyxial deaths: emphysema aquosum

Sample item

At autopsy of a drowned person the lungs are ballooned, overlapping the heart, doughy and show rib impressions. This is termed:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Emphysema aquosum

Emphysema aquosum describes the voluminous, waterlogged, ballooned lungs of drowning, which overlap the mediastinum and retain pitting and rib marks. It results from inhaled water and forced respiratory efforts. Lungs are heavy and crepitant with watery froth on section.

Option by option

  • A. Emphysema aquosum (correct)

    Correct. Large waterlogged lungs with rib impressions are emphysema aquosum.

  • B. Brown induration

    Brown induration is a feature of chronic venous congestion with haemosiderin.

  • C. Atelectasis

    Atelectasis means collapsed, shrunken lung.

  • D. Hepatisation

    Hepatisation is solid consolidation of lobar pneumonia.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Emphysema aquosum. Emphysema aquosum describes the voluminous, waterlogged, ballooned lungs of drowning, which overlap the mediastinum and retain pitting and rib marks.

Why is "Brown induration" not the answer?

Brown induration is a feature of chronic venous congestion with haemosiderin.

Why is "Atelectasis" not the answer?

Atelectasis means collapsed, shrunken lung.

Why is "Hepatisation" not the answer?

Hepatisation is solid consolidation of lobar pneumonia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: emphysema aquosum in Forensic Medicine. It results from inhaled water and forced respiratory efforts. Lungs are heavy and crepitant with watery froth on section.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Asphyxial deaths: emphysema aquosum?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.