Lichtenberg figures—morphological findings

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology - Tập 19 - Trang 269-272 - 2023
Roger W. Byard1,2
1Adelaide School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
2Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, Australia

Tóm tắt

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.

Tài liệu tham khảo

Byard RW, Thu M, Gilbert JD. Cutaneous manifestations of lightning strike – Lichtenberg figures. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2017;13:390–3. Cherington M, Olson S, Yarnell PR. Lightning and Lichtenberg figures. Inj Int J Care Inj. 2003;34:367–71. Ritneour AE, Morton MJ, McManus JG, Barillo DJ, Cancio LC. Lightning injury: a review. Burns. 2008;34:585–94. Seidl S. Pathological features of death from lightning strike. Forensic Pathol Rev. 2006;4:3–22. In: Tsokos M. Totowa, NJ, editors. Humana Press. Cherington M, McDonough G, Olson S, Russon R, Yarnell PR. Lichtenberg figures and lightning: case reports and review of the literature. Cutis. 2007;80:141–3. Mahajan AL, Rajan R, Regan PJ. Lichtenberg figures: cutaneous manifestation of phone electrocution from lightning. J Plast Recon Aesth Surg. 2008;61:111–3. Byard RW. Electrical deaths. In: Payne-James J, Byard RW, editors. Forensic and legal medicine: Clinical and pathological aspects. Taylor and Francis Publishers; 2023. Arnould JF, Le Floch R. Lichtenberg figures associated with a high-voltage industrial burn. Burns. 2011;37:e13–5. Wetli CV. Keraunopathology. An analysis of 45 fatalities. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1996;17:89–98. Resnick BI, Wetli CV. Lichtenberg figures. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1996;17:99–102. Ten Duis HJ, Klasen HJ, Nijsten MWN. Superficial lightning injuries: their “fractal” shape and origin. Burns. 1987;13:141–6. Byard RW, Langlois NEI. Bruises – is it a case of “the more we know the less we understand? Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2015;11:479–81.