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Fatal subcutaneous emphysema by manja: a deadly string
Nilesh Keshav Tumram1, Rajesh Vaijnathrao Bardale, Pradeep Gangadhar Dixit
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. ntumram@rediffmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|February 16, 2013
Summary
A rare case of subcutaneous emphysema caused by a cut-throat injury from "manja," a glass-coated kite string, is presented. This injury highlights a novel and previously unreported cause of this medical condition.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Subcutaneous emphysema is the presence of air in the subcutaneous tissue, typically resulting from trauma, surgery, or infections.
- 'Manja' is a hazardous abrasive string coated with powdered glass, commonly used for kite fighting in South Asia and other regions.
Observation:
- A case of a cut-throat injury inflicted by 'manja' is described.
- The injury resulted in the development of subcutaneous emphysema.
Findings:
- This report details the first known instance of subcutaneous emphysema caused by a 'manja' related neck injury.
- The abrasive and glass-coated nature of 'manja' can lead to unique and severe soft tissue damage.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential dangers of 'manja' beyond typical kite-fighting injuries.
- Suggests the need for increased awareness among medical professionals regarding rare causes of subcutaneous emphysema.
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