Intracranial Hematomas In Fatal Closed Head Injury A Postmortem Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hematomas is an important cause of death in closed head injury, autopsy findings is the final way to determine the types ,extent& associated findings of these hematomas. OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of brain pathology as a cause of death in patients with isolated head injury and those with multiple organ injuries. PATIENT & METHODS: One hundred consecutive bodies who were victims of fatal closed head injury(Group A) in the forensic medicine institute from jan.2004 to jan 2007 were included in this study, in addition a control study (Group B) of 100 consecutive victims of closed head & body injury with overt and non overt head injury signs. RESULTS: Group A (patients with pure head injury signs)Fifty five out of one hundred (55%) were having ICH , In which SDH (pure or combined) constitutes 35% of all cases.In addition 45% were having a brain edema &/or herniation.Group B (patients with multiple organ injury signs)The majority 49% were having brain ischemia.CONCLUSION:1-ICH are important causes of death in fatal closed head injury in which SDH are a majority in these hematomas.2-As a non hemorrhagic cause brain edema &/or herniation were a major factor.3-Multiply body injury showed mainly brain ischemia.