Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume 41, Issue 2 , Pages 223-226, February 2003

“Suffocation roulette”: A case of recurrent syncope in an adolescent boy☆

Department of Pediatrics, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel

Received 24 July 2002; received in revised form 26 August 2002; accepted 5 September 2002.

Abstract 

We present the case of a 12-year-old boy admitted with a complaint of recurrent syncopal episodes. A careful history taking revealed the cause of the syncopal episodes to be a dangerous game played by adolescents called “suffocation roulette.” We believe that recognition of this game as a possible cause of syncopal events, together with prompt educative intervention, might prevent adolescent morbidity and mortality and also might eliminate the need for unnecessary medical investigations. [Ann Emerg Med. 2003;41:223–226.]

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

☆ Address for reprints: Gil Z. Shlamovitz, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel; E-mail gilshla@netvision.net.il.

PII: S0196-0644(02)84972-1

doi:10.1067/mem.2003.49

Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume 41, Issue 2 , Pages 223-226, February 2003

Article Tools