Diagnosis of drowning: Electrolytes and total protein in sphenoid sinus liquid

•We examined Na, Cl, Mg, and TP concentrations in the sphenoid sinus liquid.•We elucidated whether drowning occurred in freshwater or seawater.•A significant difference was observed in Na, Cl, and Mg concentrations among the three groups.•Na, Cl, and Mg concentrations in the sphenoid sinus liquid might serve as useful indicators.

In this study, electrolyte (sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and magnesium (Mg)) and total protein (TP) concentrations and volume of liquid in the sphenoid sinus were examined to determine their usefulness to elucidate whether drowning occurred in freshwater or seawater. We examined 68 cases (seawater drowning group: 27 cases, freshwater drowning group: 21 cases, non-drowning group: 20 cases). There was a significant difference in Na, Cl, Mg, and TP concentrations of liquid in the sphenoid sinus among the three groups (seawater drowning, freshwater drowning, and non-drowning groups). To distinguish freshwater drowning from seawater drowning, Na, Cl, and Mg concentrations of liquid in the sphenoid sinus might serve as useful indicators.

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