Lichtenberg figures associated with a high-voltage industrial burn

Arnould, J.F.; Floch, R. Le

doi:10.1016/j.burns.2010.11.014

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Skin lesions caused by a strike range from singeing of hair to extensive deep charring [ 7 ], although on occasion there may be no observable external effects. While Lichtenberg figures were once regarded as pathognomonic for lightning strike [ 2 ], they have been reported in a case of high-voltage industrial contact [ 8 ]. They are also present in only 17–33% of cases of lightning strike [ 9 ], but in the correct context of a suspected strike remain strongly supportive pathological evidence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lichtenberg figures—morphological findings

Byard

2023

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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Following a witnessed lethal lightning strike of an adult male who was standing outside in a storm, numerous Lichtenberg figures were identified upon external examination of the body. Sectioning across multiple areas of linear erythema in the figures showed no subcutaneous hemorrhage. This was later confirmed on histology which showed only subtle dermal capillary dilatation with no interstitial hemorrhage or inflammation in these areas. The only areas of interstitial hemorrhage were present in adjacent scattered punctate burns from arcing. The documented resolution of Lichtenberg figures within hours would be more in keeping with temporary functional capillary dilatation, shown in this case, rather than with tissue alteration by interstitial hemorrhage or inflammation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lichtenberg figures—morphological findings

Byard

2023

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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“…In open areas without a source of high voltage, LFs are pathognomonic for lightning. 21 There is a reported case of arborescent pressure-induced vasodilation that was said to mimic LFs. The lesion, in this case, was easily distinguishable from LFs because it lacked ferning.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lichtenberg Figures: How a Cutaneous Sign Can Solve Suspicious Death Cases

Manoubi

Gharbaoui

Allouche

2022

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

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Lightning is a natural weather phenomenon that occurs most commonly during the summer months in the afternoon or early evening. Lightning strikes can cause accidental deaths. In developed countries, lightning fatalities occur almost exclusively outdoors. Deaths from lightning may be in remote places with no witnesses. Forensic pathologists may not be able to reach the scene of death because it is too hazardous or inaccessible. Bodies may have neither evidence of skin burns nor torn areas on their clothes. The presumption of accidental death may be difficult to prove. We present 3 cases in which neither the examination of the death scene nor the examination of the bodies by those who attested to the death were performed. The bodies were transported to the morgue for a forensic autopsy because the deaths were considered suspicious. Physicians who attest to death in open spaces during weather that could produce lightning should actively search for Lichtenberg figures, which are considered irrefutable proof of fatal lightning in such settings. They should also photograph them and submit them as evidence. Nevertheless, physicians should keep in mind that Lichtenberg figures are not considered pathognomonic of lightning because some skin manifestations may mimic them.

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“…Este sinal também pode apresentar diversas formas morfológicas, como uma área eritematosa com limites imprecisos, além da clássica figura arboriforme, o que pode dificultar sua observação pericial [45]. Ressalta-se que a literatura especializada já registrou a presença deste sinal em vítimas de contato com EEA de alta voltagem [46]. No presente estudo foram evidenciados sete casos nos quais o sinal de Litchemberg apareceu em um contexto de contato com EEA, apesar de ter sido proporcionalmente menos frequente neste grupo se comparado ao de ENN, confirmando que deve haver extrema cautela em associar sua presença apenas à EEN.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Óbitos relacionados ao contato com energia elétrica: estudo de 224 laudos necroscópicos

Bordoni¹,

Barbosa²,

Silva³

et al. 2018

Rev. Bras. Crimin.

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Ã“bitos e lesÃµes relacionados Ã energia elÃ©trica (EE) sÃ£o um importante problema de saÃºde pÃºblica no Brasil. A investigaÃ§Ã£o mÃ©dico legal das mortes envolvendo EE Ã© dificultada pela ausÃªncia de lesÃµes especÃficas em grande parte das vÃtimas. Tendo em vista a importÃ¢ncia para as ciÃªncias forenses, este trabalho objetivou investigar laudos de necropsias com histÃ³rico de contato prÃ©vio dos periciados com EE. Foram resgatados 224 casos dos quais em 73,2% a causa da morte foi atribuÃda exclusivamente ao contato com EE, em 8,5% foi decorrente de trauma contuso apÃ³s contato com EE e em 18,3% permaneceu indeterminada mesmo apÃ³s a realizaÃ§Ã£o da necropsia. A maioria dos Ã³bitos ocorreu em contexto acidental, predominaram os casos relacionados a EE artificial (90,6%), a maior parte das autopsias foram realizadas na primavera e no verÃ£o. Houve predominÃ¢ncia de periciados do sexo masculino, de cor parda, solteiros, que apresentava mÃ©dia etÃ¡ria de 32 anos, que nÃ£o receberam atendimento mÃ©dico previamente ao Ã³bito. Queimaduras foram as lesÃµes externas mais observadas; os sinais de Jellinek e de Lichtenberg foram descritos em 64 e em 10 laudos, respectivamente. PetÃ©quias subpleurais e subepicÃ¡rdicas foram os achados internos mais frequentes. Houve positividade em 22,2% dos exames de alcoolemia realizados e em 13,2% dos de toxicologia. O estudo aponta para a previsibilidade epidemiolÃ³gica das fatalidades envolvendo EE, para as dificuldades mÃ©dico legais no estabelecimento da causa mÃ©dica da morte, o que destaca a importÃ¢ncia da integraÃ§Ã£o entre a perÃcia de local com os achados necroscÃ³picos na investigaÃ§Ã£o destes casos.Â

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Lichtenberg figures associated with a high-voltage industrial burn

Cited by 13 publications

References 7 publications

Lichtenberg figures—morphological findings

Lichtenberg figures—morphological findings

Lichtenberg Figures: How a Cutaneous Sign Can Solve Suspicious Death Cases

Óbitos relacionados ao contato com energia elétrica: estudo de 224 laudos necroscópicos

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