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Observational Study
. 2018 Sep;97(39):e12567.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000012567.

Importance of effusion of blood under the dura mater in forensic medicine: A STROBE - compliant retrospective study

Affiliations
Observational Study

Importance of effusion of blood under the dura mater in forensic medicine: A STROBE - compliant retrospective study

Sigitas Chmieliauskas et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Subdural hemorrhage is commonly associated with mechanical brain injury and has a correspondingly high mortality rate. Subdural hematomas may immediately provoke symptoms or may be initially asymptomatic, with further symptoms evolving rapidly and fatally.The data regarding forensic autopsy of victims were obtained from The State Forensic Medicine Service of Lithuania between the years 2013 and 2016. A retrospective study was performed including 110 patients, whose cause of death was subdural hemorrhage. 95% confidence intervals were calculated.It was calculated, that in cases of sudden death, after subdural hemorrhage was diagnosed, a higher concentration of ethyl alcohol in blood (mean 2.22 ± 1.3%) demanded a smaller amount of blood under the dura matter (mean 81.6 ± 60.5 g) in order for the patient to die. It was also noted that hospitalized patients with subdural hemorrhage had a smaller concentration of blood ethyl alcohol (mean 1.33 ± 1%) and a larger amount of blood under the dura (mean 135.6 ± 82.9 g).Due to the toxic effect of ethyl alcohol, even a small amount (81.6 ± 60.5 g) of blood under the dura matter can determine a sudden death.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Subdural hematoma and alcohol concentration in blood.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Subdural hematoma and Glasgow coma scale.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Subdural hematoma and hospitalization time.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Glasgow coma scale and alcohol concentration in blood.

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