Mechanical Regional Injuries

Question 1

Mention mechanisms of death in cut-throat

Answer 1

1. Hemorrhage due to injury of carotid artery and jugular veins
2. Shock:
   a. Neurogenic shock due to pressure on carotid sinus
   b. Sympathetic shock due to severe pain
3. Venous air embolism through the opened big veins of the neck
4. Asphyxia due to blood inhaled into the cut passages
5. Transection of the spinal cord in cut nape
6. Delayed causes of death: edema of the glottis and aspiration pneumonia

Question 2

List lung injuries

Answer 2

Blunt: minor: pneumonia, major: fractured ribs, hemopneumoperitoneum, laceration of the lung.
Penetrating trauma: hemothorax, arterial air embolism

Question 3

List cardiac injuries

Answer 3

1. Blunt: minor (Commotio cordis), major (myocardial contusion, rupture of the heart).
2. Penetrating trauma: all cause rapid death except left ventricle.

Question 4

List types of abdominal trauma

Answer 4

1. Blunt: minor; to epigastrium result in vagal cardiac inhibition/major: rupture of abdominal organs MC is spleen (extracapsular or intracapsular)
2. Penetrating trauma

Question 5

MLI of blunt abdominal trauma

Answer 5

During shock, splenic hge is minimal due to hypotension and sealing by clot, when blood pressure rises after TTT hemorrhage and capsular rupture occur. So cases of blund abdominal trauma must be kept under observation to exclude delayed rupture of organs and avoid medical responsibility.