In Italy 800 drowning cases per
year have been appraised, 45% of which are fatal. Generally, drowning means a form of mechanical asphyxia subsequent to the occlusion of the respiratory tract by a fluid. Usually water represents the most common means by which
drowning and asphyxia occurs, in these cases the body can be found totally or
partially submersed.
If we consider alternative fluids to the water, it is more
common that their penetration in the respiratory tract is subsequent to
inhalation, which is followed by lung pathologies more than by a real asphyctic
syndrome. Other fluid that in rare occurrences have been mentioned in the literature as a means of drowning asphyxia are represented by wax, paraffin,
beer, bitumen, and gas oil. Therefore, due to its uniqueness, the authors
present a case of drowning in waste oil from motor vehicles.