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Case Report: Lightning-Induced Pneumomediastinum.

Ryan Blumenthal¹, Gert Saayman

¹From the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

|January 24, 2017

Summary

A lightning strike victim experienced pneumomediastinum, a rare autopsy finding. This condition may result from alveolar rupture due to blast overpressure from the lightning strike.

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Area of Science:

Forensic Pathology
Trauma Medicine
Keraunopathology

Background:

Lightning strikes can cause severe trauma.
Pneumomediastinum is a rare finding in lightning strike fatalities.
Understanding the mechanisms of lightning-related injuries is crucial for forensic analysis.

Observation:

Autopsy of a 41-year-old woman fatally injured by lightning revealed overt pneumomediastinum.
The event was witnessed, providing context for the injury.
The victim was exposed to a significant blast pressure wave.

Findings:

The study discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms of pneumomediastinum following lightning strikes.
The Macklin effect and blast overpressures are implicated.
Sudden alveolar rupture leading to air tracking into the mediastinum is hypothesized.

Implications:

This case highlights a rare keraunopathological finding.
The proposed mechanism provides insight into lightning-induced thoracic injuries.
Findings may inform future investigations of lightning-related fatalities and trauma management.