Traumatic asphyxia is a clinical syndrome associated with cervicofacial cyanosis, petechia and subconjonctival hemorrhage, neurological symptoms. The syndrome appears following severe and transient compressive blunt chest trauma. Its morbidity and mortality is linked by the associated cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurological injuries. In these two cases, traumatic asphyxia developed as a result of an abrupt thoracic compression. Both cases were admitted to the emergency in an unconscious state resulting from compression of the whole of the right arm, the shoulder and the right side of the thorax extending to the neck, caused by a heavy machine in the shape of a paint clinder. On the pulmonary x-ray of the firs case fractures of the 7th and 8th ribs were determined and tube thoracostomy performed. The CT of the brain was not unusual, and the patient was discharged without neurological sequele, with complete recovery. The second case was admitted to the emergency service with cardiopulmonary arrest and by the15th minutes, cardiac rhythm was on its normal course. On the computerized tomography of the brain, extensive edema was detected. The patient was neurologically observed with Glasgow Coma Score E1M2Ve. He was discharged with spontaneous breathing with traceostomia and with Glasgow Coma Score E1M4Ve on the 65th day, informing his family on his condition and the care of such patients.

Keywords : Asphyxia/etiology/therapy; thoracic injuries/complications