[Sudden death from ventricular fibrillation after voluntary inhalation of chlorothene in a mechanics apprentice].

In a 20-year-old apprentice mechanic who had deliberately inhaled chlorothene (1,1,1-trichloroethane) an episode of vomiting was followed by ventricular fibrillation with fatal outcome despite intensive care in hospital. Autopsy revealed no anatomical cause of death. This is the first case reported in Switzerland of "sudden sniffing death syndrome".