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Lightning injury: report of two cases
Burns, Including Thermal Injury
|September 1, 1983
Summary
Two mountain climbers experienced lightning injuries with distinct outcomes. One case presented as crush injury with muscle damage, while the other involved extensive burns requiring skin grafting. Both recovered fully without lasting effects.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Traumatology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Lightning strikes are a significant risk during outdoor activities like mountain climbing.
- Understanding the diverse clinical presentations of lightning injuries is crucial for effective management.
- This report details two distinct cases of lightning injury in mountain climbers.
Observation:
- Case 1: Lightning injury with abdominal marks, presenting as crush injury due to myoglobinuria and elevated muscle enzymes (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase).
- Case 2: Lightning injury with burns and abdominal pain, treated for 55% body surface area burns (superficial and deep dermal) with fluid resuscitation and skin grafting.
Findings:
- Both patients, despite different initial presentations and treatments, experienced complete recovery.
- No residual deformities were noted in either case after a three-year follow-up period.
Implications:
- Lightning injuries can manifest with varied clinical courses, necessitating tailored medical interventions.
- Prompt and appropriate management, including enzyme level monitoring and burn care, leads to favorable outcomes.
- This case series highlights the importance of recognizing and managing the spectrum of lightning-related trauma.