Journal Published Online: 01 March 2000
Volume 45, Issue 2

Fatal Aspiration of Sardine Fry in a Patient with Lung Cancer

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

We report a fatal case of death due to unusual aspiration of sardine fry in an elderly Japanese man with lung cancer. The cause of death was sudden respiratory arrest while eating. Autopsy revealed peculiar materials with cell nests and pigmented particles, together with striated muscle and skin, in the ectatic bronchioles of the left lower lobe. Serial histologic sections suggested that the structures observed were the eyeballs of small animals that appeared to have been inhaled. The patient had habitually eaten sardine fry and rice gruel, which were also detected in the gastric contents. Therefore, the eyes were considered to be those of the fry, which is a popular food item in Japan. This was confirmed by histologic examination of fry that were obtained commercially.

Author Information

Inayama, Y
Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
Udaka, N
Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
Amano, T
Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
Watanuki, Y
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Prefectural Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Yokohama, Japan
Odagiri, S
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Prefectural Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Yokohama, Japan
Kawano, N
Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
Nakatani, Y
Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS14711J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14711J