ABSTRACT

The use of volatile substances, also known as inhalant substances, is increasing all over the world. One of the most often encountered misuses of these substances is lighter fluid; which is easily accessible, legally and cheaply purchased, and which has a pleasurable effect in a short period of time.

In this report; 18 years-old case who was found in cardiac arrest on a street after lighter fluid inhalation nearly three years ago, which had been generalized tonic seizure during intensive care monitoring, observed changes in cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging secondary to hypoxic-ischemic damage and butane gas inhalation and detected a severe motor and mental neurological sequelae was presented.

To our knowledge, in the literature, there were more autopsy studies on sudden death cases due to lighter fluid inhalation. Therefore, this presented case would contribute to the literature as it clearly reveals the neurological sequelae, as a result of lighter fluid inhalation.

Keywords: Lighter Fluid, Volatile Substance, Inhalation, Forensic Medicine, Ventricular Fibrillation