Asphyxial deaths: complication after strangulation: 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: complication after strangulation

Sample item

A woman survives manual strangulation and is discharged well, but two days later develops right hemiparesis and aphasia. What is the most likely cause?

ACarotid artery dissection with thromboembolismBCerebral fat embolismCBacterial meningitisDHypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Carotid artery dissection with thromboembolism

Neck compression can injure the carotid intima, causing dissection and thrombus that embolise hours to days later. Survivors of strangulation therefore need vascular imaging even when well. Fat embolism follows long bone fractures and meningitis presents with fever and neck stiffness.

Option by option

A. Carotid artery dissection with thromboembolism (correct)
Correct. Delayed stroke after neck compression suggests carotid dissection.
B. Cerebral fat embolism
Fat embolism follows long bone fracture and is not expected in strangulation.
C. Bacterial meningitis
Meningitis gives fever and meningism and not focal deficits two days after strangulation.
D. Hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage
Hypertensive haemorrhage is not linked to a neck injury in a previously healthy woman.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Carotid artery dissection with thromboembolism. Neck compression can injure the carotid intima, causing dissection and thrombus that embolise hours to days later.

Why is "Cerebral fat embolism" not the answer?

Fat embolism follows long bone fracture and is not expected in strangulation.

Why is "Bacterial meningitis" not the answer?

Meningitis gives fever and meningism and not focal deficits two days after strangulation.

Why is "Hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage" not the answer?

Hypertensive haemorrhage is not linked to a neck injury in a previously healthy woman.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: complication after strangulation in Forensic Medicine. Survivors of strangulation therefore need vascular imaging even when well. Fat embolism follows long bone fractures and meningitis presents with fever and neck stiffness.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: complication after strangulation?

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.