Death due to isolated mesenteric vascular injury following blunt abdominal trauma: A case report.

Death due to isolated injury to small bowel mesentery following abdominal trauma is rare. It is known that seatbelt trauma from motor vehicle accidents is the most common mechanism of mesenteric injury and that the mesentery of the small bowel is injured more frequently than that of the colon. Focal mesenteric infiltration associated with haemoperitoneum, particularly in the absence of solid organ injury, is highly suggestive of a mesenteric tear. In this report one such seat belt abdominal injury with subsequent mesenteric tear and bowel infarction with significant haemoperitoneum leading to death on the Operation table is being discussed. The main significance of this injury is delay and difficulty in diagnosis, especially when there is minimal signs and symptoms to warrant an exploratory laparotomy. Early detection and emergency surgical intervention when necessary are critical in improving the outcome of treatment.

Pattern of homicidal deaths.

Killing of an individual is the highest level of aggression found in all cultures. Incidence of Homicide is on the rise worldwide and pattern is also changing except for the motive v.i.z. lust for money, women and land. The present prospective study from Oct 2005 to Sep 2007 for a period of 2 years in the Dept of Forensic Medicine, MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore revealed that homicidal deaths accounted for 4.32% of autopsies and victims in the age group 20-29 years constituted 49.25% of cases. In 12.25 % of cases Police did not suspect homicide prior to autopsy. Maximum homicides took place at victim‘s residence (31.5%) and street (29.75%). Acquaintances were involved in 47% of cases. The main motive was revenge (26.5%). Sharp weapon injuries (33.25%) were the commonest pattern followed by blunt weapon injuries (28%) and 82.5 % of victims died on the spot.

Floating thromboembolism: a case report.

Medico legal autopsies are conducted in cases of sudden unexpected deaths, primarily to establish the cause of death. In cases where deaths have occurred in apparently healthy individuals, deaths under suspicious circumstances or who have sustained injuries, pulmonary embolism forms the principal cause of sudden unexpected death. Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is caused when thrombi are detached from the deep vein of the lower leg. The most important causes for incorrect diagnosis are failure to suspect Pulmonary Embolism, and the protean nature of the disease. Presentation is often “atypical”. Signs and symptoms are frequently vague and nonspecific and rarely “classic”. In more than 95% of cases, venous emboli originate from deep leg vein thrombi above the level of the knee. Most pulmonary emboli (60 to 80%) are clinically silent because they are small. Remarkable differences actually exist concerning the point of origin and the final localization, as well as the size and age of thromboemboli, the presence or absence of pulmonary infarction, and the underlying pathology. This paper highlights a rare case of a young individual with minor injuries who succumbed to pulmonary thromboembolism.