Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
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

Sigitas Chmieliauskas  1   2 , Joginte Saule Anuzyte  1 , Julita Liucvaikyte  1 , Sigitas Laima  1   2 , Eleonora Jurolaic  2 , Saulius Rocka  3 , Dmitrij Fomin  1   2 , Jurgita Stasiuniene  1 , Algimantas Jasulaitis  1
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.

PubMed Disclaimer

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.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Leestma JE. Leestma JE, Thibault KL. Forensic Neuropathology. Chapter 6. Physical injury to the nervous system 2nd ed.Broken Sound Parkway, NW: CRC Press; 2008. 442–66.
    1. Oehmichen M, Auer RN, Konig HG, et al. Chapter 7. Injuries of the brain's coverings. Forensic Neuropathology and Neurology. Berlin: Springer; 2006. 126–40.
    1. Black M, Graham DI. Sudden unexplained death in adults caused by intracranial pathology. J Clin Pathol 2002;55:44–50. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Haberland C. Chapter 12. Traumatic injuries of the central nervous system. Clinical Neuropathology: Text and Color Atlas. New York: Demos; 2007. 126–270.
    1. Yamamura H, Morioka T, Yamamoto T, et al. Head computed tomographic measurement as a predictor of outcome in patients with subdural hematoma with cerebral edema. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2016;24:83. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types