Indian Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
  • Year: 2009
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 4

Death Due to Solvent Abuse - A Case Report

  • Author:
  • S Praveen*,1, Girish YP Chandra1, S Harish1
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Published Online: Dec 1, 2009
  • Page Number: 160 to 165

1Dept of Forensic Medicine, MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore-560054

*For correspondence S. Praveen Associate Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine, MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore-560054

Abstract

The deliberate inhalation of solvents among children and adolescents for “Kicks” is becoming more common in our country. The particular agent abused seems to be largely a function of availability. The typical inhalant abuser is a teenage male who is attracted to solvent because of their euphoric and hallucinogenic properties and the fact that they are cheap, legal and easily obtainable.1 It is generally regarded as a relatively harmless practice and consequently little attention had been paid to the isolation of the toxic agent from the variety of substance used.2 It is well recognized that solvent abuse results in sudden death due to plastic bag suffocation but one such case not associated to it but has resulted in death due to aspiration is being discussed

Keywords

Solvent abuse, Toluene, Aspiration