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. 2016 Sep 30;29(3):192-194.

Late complications of high-voltage electrical injury might involve multiple systems and be related to current path

B Azzena  1 , I Tocco-Tussardi  2 , A Pontini  1 , B Presman  3 , F Huss  3
Affiliations

Late complications of high-voltage electrical injury might involve multiple systems and be related to current path

B Azzena et al. Ann Burns Fire Disasters. .

Abstract
in English, French

Delayed complications of electrical burns are mostly unexpected, and the link between the injury and the symptoms often goes unrecognized. A possible relation between source-ground sites and late clinical manifestations was recently emphasized. We report a unique case of combined intestinal-spinal delayed complications following a high-voltage electrical injury, a possible explanation being a greater current flow through the right hemisoma. The potential for late complications is an additional feature that physicians must consider in managing electrical injuries. Manifestations are variable and presentation is confounding, but current flow path can constitute a precious source of information to predict complications in the late phase of management.

Les complications tardives des électrisations par haut voltage sont le plus souvent inattendues et le lien avec l’accident initial est fréquemment non reconnu. Une relation possible entre le trajet source-terre et les complications tardives a récemment été mise en évidence. Nous rapportons le cas de complication tardive touchant à la fois l’intestin et la moëlle épinière, pouvant être expliqué par le passage préférentiel du courant dans l’hémicorps droit. La possibilité de complications tardives doit être prise en compte des électrisations par haut voltage. Ces manifestations sont variables et la clinique peut être peu claire, mais le trajet supposé du courant peut être un argument permettant de relier l’atteinte initiale et les complications tardives.

Keywords: current path; electrical burn; spinal cord injury; visceral injury.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Clinical presentation of the electrical burn injury. A - Right upper arm. Note the source lesion (arrows). B - Left upper arm and torso.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Clinical presentation of the electrical burn injury on right thigh. Note the ground lesion (arrows).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Abdominal X-ray on day 8 after injury showing free intraperitoneal air (arrows).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Hypothesized electrical current flow path for the present case. Current is hypothesized to have flowed from the upper body to the lower extremity according to the source and ground lesion sites.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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