An Autopsy Series: Lightning-related Deaths in Van and Hakkâri Provinces, Turkey

ABSTRACT Objective: To report the largest series of lightning-related deaths in Turkey, to review the literature on this subject, and to identify similarities and differences between the autopsy findings in this study and the information available in literature. Methods: In this study, autopsy reports and crime scene investigation data on 11 lightning-related fatalities that occurred in the Van and Hakkâri Provinces, Turkey, from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 1699 fatalities, 11 (2.53%) evaluated by medico-legal autopsy in the Van and Hakkâri Province in a 5-year period died from lightning strikes. Of these cases, 10 (90.1%) were males and 1 (9.9%) was female (p < 0.05). All cases were in the 11 to 33 years age group. All cases were injured outdoors. Conclusion: We concluded that deaths due to lightning strikes are relatively rare in Turkey, and may be reduced with precautions such as avoiding staying under trees or in the vicinity of high towers, refraining from touching metal objects, avoiding lying on the ground, leaning on walls, and crouching outdoors.

Muerte materna incidental en un accidente por relámpago: Reporte de caso / Incidental maternal death due to lightning injury: a case report

Resumen Los relámpagos se presentan con una frecuencia mayor a 50 veces por segundo a nivel mundial; sin embargo, las descargas directas suceden rara vez y son responsables del 5% de los eventos fatales. El mecanismo de lesión inicial es la parálisis de los centros vitales, lo que ocasiona apnea, fibrilación auricular o paro cardíaco. En mujeres embarazadas, el accidente por rayo puede producir complicaciones graves, dependiendo del punto de entrada en el cuerpo y su efecto indirecto sobre el feto, produciendo trastornos de la conducción en el sistema cardíaco y daño a nivel del sistema nervioso central. En la literatura mundial, solo catorce casos de embarazo y traumatismo por relámpago han sido reportados, sobreviviendo en todos la madre, con un único reporte de muerte fetal. Se presenta un caso de accidente por relámpago en una mujer embarazada en la semana 23 de gestación, cuyo tipo de lesión fue por contacto directo en el abdomen, y quien ingresó con compromiso neurológico, taquicardia materna y bradicardia fetal. El deceso materno ocurrió por infarto agudo extenso del miocardio y la formación de un émbolo intracavitario en el ventrículo izquierdo, con la consecuente muerte del binomio. Se describe su frecuencia, el mecanismo de lesión, las manifestaciones clínicas y el manejo actual. MÉD.UIS.2019;32(1):21-6

Abstract Lightning occurs with a frequency rate of more than 50 times per second worldwide. Nevertheless, direct lightning strikes are not common, and they are responsible for about 5% of all lightning injury fatalities. The initial mechanism of injury is the paralysis of the vital centers, which causes apnea, atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrest. In pregnant women, lightning can produce severe complications which depend on the point of entrance and its indirect effect on the fetus, affecting the cardiac conduction system and the central nervous system. We report a case of a lightning accident by direct strike on a 23-week pregnant woman, who's type of injury was by direct contact on the abdomen. She arrives to the emergency room with neurologic symptoms, maternal tachycardia and fetal bradycardia. The mother died due to myocardial infarction and the presence of an intracavitary embolus in the left ventricle, with the consequent maternal-fetal death. The incidence and injury mechanisms, as well as the clinical features and clinical management are described. MÉD.UIS.2019;32(1):21-6.

Lesiones por fulguración aspectos clínicos y médicos legales. Presentación de dos casos simultáneos no mortales / Fulguration injuries: clinical and legal aspects. Presentation of two simultaneous non-fatal cases

Resumen Un relámpago o rayo es definido como una gran descarga de corriente eléctrica atmosférica, momentánea y transitoria cuya longitud de trayectoria se mide en kilómetros. Por otro lado, se denomina fulguración a los efectos biológicos gue se producen por acción de la electricidad atmosférica. Se presentan dos casos de mujeres gue sufrieron simultáneamente los efectos de un rayo y sobrevivieron, y en quienes se apreciaron las figuras de Lichtenberg, gue son patognomónicas en la fulguración. Así mismo, se hace hincapié en las demás lesiones externas por fulguración, las cuales ayudan a la evaluación médico-legal.

Abstract Lightning is defined as an electrical discharge in the atmosphere that is momentary and transitory which length is measured in kilometers. On the other hand, fulguration is related the biological effects produced by the atmospheric electricity. In this report, two simultaneous cases of lightning strikes are presented. The individuals survived and the pathognomonic Lichtenberg's figures were presented. Special emphasis is placed in the external lesions by the struck of lightning in order to help the legal-medical evaluation.

Fisiopatología, manifestaciones sistémicas y secuelas de la fulguración en seres humanos / Pathophysiology systemic manifestations and sequelae of electrocution in humans

Un rayo es un impulso masivo de corriente unidireccional creado por un gradiente de electrones entre dos nubes o una nube y la tierra. El trauma eléctrico por lo general no es mortal, sin embargo se asocia a una serie de complicaciones médicas de importancia. Las secuelas están determinadas tanto por la intensidad de la corriente como por la duración de la aplicación energética. Las lesiones por electrofulguración ocurren por distintos mecanismos: golpe directo, lesión de contacto, “side splash”, corriente por tierra y trauma contuso. La electricidad atmosférica causa diferentes tipos de lesiones a nivel de la piel, como es el caso de las quemaduras lineales, punteadas, térmicas y en plumaje. Las figuras de Lichtenberg son patognomónicas de la electrofulguración. Además del efecto sobre el sistema tegumentario, se documentan lesiones cardiovasculares, respiratorias, gastrointestinales, oculares, auditivas y neurológicas. Cuando se presenta una muerte por electrofulguración, como pocas veces es presenciada y ocurre en espacios abiertos, se debe realizar un estudio exhaustivo del cadáver y del lugar del suceso para descartar otras causas de muerte natural o violenta. En Costa Rica en el año 2011 se presentaron 7 muertes por electrofulguración, principalmente durante la juventud y adultez temprana y a nivel de la zona rural, siendo el principal mecanismo de lesión el golpe directo.

Lightning is a massive unidirectional current that depends of an electron gradient; this electric flow travels from one cloud to another or to the ground. Electric trauma generally is not lethal, however, it is associated to several complications. Sequelae are determined both by the current strength and by the duration of the exposure. Lightning damage occurs by different mechanisms: direct strike, contact injury, side splash, ground current, and blunt trauma. Atmospheric electricity causes different skin lesions such as linear, punctate, thermal, and plumage burns. Lichtenberg figures are pathognomonic for lightning. Besides the effect on the integumentary system, respiratory, gastrointestinal, ocular, auditory, cardiovascular, and neurological injuries are documented as well. When lightning causes death, it usually happens in open places without witnesses. An exhaustive study of the cadaver and the setting of the event should be accomplished in order to exclude natural or violent causes of death. In Costa Rica in 2011, there were seven deaths related to lightning; young adults predominated and most took place in rural areas, being direct strike the main mechanism of damage.

Fulguração como causa de morte em bovinos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul / Lightning strike as a cause of death in cattle in Rio Grande do Sul

Fulguração é a morte de animais pela ação de correntes elétricas atmosféricas ou raios durante tempestades. Quatro bovinos provenientes de dois rebanhos foram encontrados mortos nas proximidades de árvores de Eucalyptus sp. imediatamente após registros de tempestades no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Nos locais haviam árvores com linhas de queimadura recente no tronco, cascas parcialmente soltas, além de restos de galhos e folhas espalhados sob as copas das árvores. Não foram encontradas lesões macroscópicas e microscópicas significativas, nem indícios de enfermidades tóxicas ou infecciosas. Tais achados sugerem morte súbita por fulguração nos bovinos.

Lightning strike may cause sporadic deaths of animals that have been exposed to high-voltage electric currents during thunderstorms. Four healthy adult cattle from two herds were found dead next to eucalypt trees immediately after storms in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. There were recent burns and loose barks on the trunks of the trees, apart numerous branches and leaves scattered on the ground under the canopy of the trees. No gross or microscopic lesions were observed. In addition, there was no evidence of any toxic or infectious disease. These findings suggest that lightning strike caused the death of those animals.