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Novel aortic lesions in hanging deaths
Dalibor Kovařík1,2, Petr Hejna3,4, Michaela Ublová1,2
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Sokolská 581, Šimkova 870, Hradec Králové, 500 03, Czech Republic.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|January 21, 2025
Summary
New research corroborates periadventitial hemorrhages in suicidal hanging cases. It also identifies novel aortic intimal ruptures and subintimal hemorrhages as potential indicators in forensic investigations.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Vascular Anatomy
Background:
- A previous case report suggested periadventitial hemorrhages at posterior intercostal artery junctions as a sign of suicidal hanging.
- This study aimed to corroborate these findings and identify additional aortic lesions associated with hanging.
Observation:
- Six cases of aortic intimal ruptures were identified among 257 suicidal hanging deaths.
- Novel subintimal hemorrhages were observed in the aorta, previously undocumented in forensic literature.
Findings:
- The complex anatomy of the aorta and surrounding structures may predispose vascular structures to injury during hanging, especially in complete suspension.
- Periadventitial hemorrhages, aortic intimal ruptures, and subintimal hemorrhages are proposed as significant morphological indicators of hanging.
Implications:
- These findings can enrich the medicolegal investigation of hanging deaths.
- Further large-scale prospective autopsy studies are needed to establish the diagnostic relevance of these aortic lesions.
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