Search

Acute corrosive acid ingestion presents significant challenges in clinical and forensic pathology due to its severe and often fatal outcomes. This case series examines four autopsies involving fatal acid ingestion: three cases of hydrochloric acid (HCl) poisoning and one case of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) poisoning. Each case provides detailed autopsy findings, focusing on macroscopic and microscopic pathological changes. The first three cases of HCl poisoning revealed extensive tissue damage characterized by coagulative necrosis, particularly affecting the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Histological examination showed dense inflammatory infiltrate, submucosal edema, and significant hemorrhage, with patchy necrosis observed in the liver and kidneys. Pulmonary findings included alveolar edema and hemorrhage. The fourth case, involving H2SO4 ingestion, demonstrated more severe injuries with transmural necrosis and extensive hemorrhagic infiltration in the esophagus. The stomach exhibited full-thickness necrosis with a pronounced sulfurousodor, indicating severe chemical injury. Histopathological findings included extensive tissue dehydration and charring, with severe alveolar edema and hemorrhage in the lungs and extensive necrosis in the liver and kidneys. Comparative analysis of the histopathological changes highlighted the differences in tissue damage caused by these two acids. HCl primarily induced superficial necrosis with relatively preserved tissue architecture, while H2SO4 caused more extensive and deeper tissue damage due to its strong dehydrating and exothermic properties. Recognizing these differences is crucial for forensic pathologists in accurately diagnosing and differentiating cases of acid poisoning, ultimately enhancing diagnostic precision and clinical outcomes. This study underscores the severe and often fatal consequences of acute acid ingestion and aims to enhance the understanding of the pathological changes associated with such poisonings, thereby improving forensic and clinical evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drowning remains a significant cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating accurate diagnostic tools for forensic investigation. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of the Drowning Index (DI) to ascertain its relevance in distinguishing drowning deaths from non-drowning asphyxial deaths. Drowning deaths present a challenge for forensic pathologists, because the autopsy findings may occur in many non-drowning scenarios. Previous studies have attempted to identify patterns in organ weights that may be specific for drowning. The drowning index has been defined as the weight ratio of the lungs and pleural effusion fluid to the spleen. We compared the lung and pleural effusion weight, spleen weight, and DI from 124 autopsies of asphyxia deaths including both drowning deaths and non-drowning asphyxia deaths such as hanging, strangulation, suffocation and mechanical asphyxia at the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal from September 2021 to August 2022. Findings highlight the potential utility of the DI as a valuable adjunctive tool in forensic investigations, providing insights into its comparative efficacy in differentiating drowning from other modes of asphyxial deaths. Such insights are critical for enhancing accuracy in forensic diagnoses and contributing to advancements in medicolegal death investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global prevalence of two-wheelers is experiencing a notable surge, particularly evident in developing countries, attributed to their economical price points and widespread accessibility. Their compact dimensions, manoeuvrability, and user-friendly nature have solidified their status as among the most prevalent forms of transportation worldwide. In the context of this study, we undertook a comprehensive examination of spinal injuries observed in post-mortem assessments of individuals involved in motorized two-wheeler accidents. Our findings underscore a significant trend: cervical spine injuries emerge as the most prevalent type of injury across both helmeted and non-helmeted riders. This analysis sheds light on the critical importance of understanding the specific injury patterns associated with two-wheeler accidents, serving as a foundational resource for informing public policy initiatives aimed at enhancing safety measures and mitigating the risks associated with this increasingly prevalent mode of transportation. By elucidating the prevalence and characteristics of spinal injuries in such incidents, this research contributes valuable insights towards fostering safer road environments and reducing the toll of two-wheeler accidents on individuals and communities worldwide. It is intended that the data provided by this study would serve to cover the information gap in this area and contribute to known facts, facilitating policy planning and guiding necessary measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing nations, road traffic accident is the leading cause of mortality for people under the age of 50. 80,000 people die in road accidents every year, accounting for 13% of all deaths worldwide. The motorized two-wheelers are one of the most common mode of transport in India. Skull fracture is the most common type of head injury in fatal motorized two-wheeler accidents. Creating an effective enforcement campaign with targeted compliance rates, combined with a well-planned public awareness campaign, can increase compliance and save thousands of lives. Motorized Two-Wheelers should be subject to strict speed control regulations. The government should imply rules for increasing safety features in the Motorized Two-Wheelers, particularly of the cheaper ones. The sale and purchase of the used Motorized Two-Wheelers should be regulated through proper channels. Periodic testing of the Motorized Two-Wheelers should be made mandatory. In this study, we analyzed the head injuries sustained in fatal motorized two-wheeler accidents as seen in postmortem examination of the fatalities due to the mentioned cause. We hope that the results of this study contribute valuable insights which would further help in formulating necessary policies and work towards to a safer community by helping in reducing the toll of motorized two-wheeler accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Methods: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the second most common healthcare associated infections (HAI) reported after Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), putting significant burden on healthcare system, also contributes to increased morbidity and negative impact on the psychological, social and economic aspect of patients' life. The aim of the study is to study surgical site infection after caesarean section-Bacteriological profile and Antibiogram. Samples were collected under strict aseptic precautions using sterile cotton swabs from patients and were processed as per standard microbiological techniques. Results: Out of 150 patients who underwent caesarean section, 17 were found to have SSIs. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-06(35.3%) was most common bacterial species isolated followed by Enterococcus spp.- 04(23.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae-03 (17.6%), Escherichia coli-02 (11.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-02 (11.8%). Antimicrobial profile of Gram positive isolates revealed maximum sensitivity to linezolid, whereas among Gram negative isolates meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin were found to be most sensitive for Enterobacterales. Conclusion: To conclude, there is predominance of Gram positive organisms and emergence of MDR Gram negative organisms. By adhering to strict infection control practices, meticulous operative technique, timely administration of appropriate preoperative antibiotics, optimal preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative patient care will aid in reducing the incidence of SSIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]