Cross-Sectional Study on the Pattern of Skull Fractures & Intracranial Hemorrhges in Fatal Road Traffic Accidents in Chitradurga Chandan V1, Manjunatha K1,*, Sidramappa V2, Venu R.P.3 1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga 2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Navodaya Medical College, Raichur 3Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga *Corresponding author: Dr Manjunatha. K, E-mail- manjubmc82@gmail.com, Mobile: 9742179238
Online published on 8 August, 2019. Abstract Background Deaths due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are increasing at an alarming rate & posing a major epidemiological and medico-legal problem. Victims in RTAs sustain various injuries, of which head injuries play a major role. Present study was conducted to know the pattern of skull fractures & intracranial hemorrhages in fatal RTAs. Method Present cross-sectional study was carried out on the victims of fatal RTAs with head injuries, by conducting autopsy at mortuaries of Basaveshwara Medical College and District Hospitals, Chitradurga. Results Most common single type of external injuries over face and head included abrasions in 66% and lacerations 64% cases. Dura mater was torn in 80%cases & 20% cases had intact dura mater.72% cases presented with skull fracture and all the victims (100%) presented with intracranial haemorrhage and injury to brain parenchyma and 30% cases developed cerebral oedema. The most common type of brain injury noted was contusions in 52% cases. Fissured fracture was seen in 58% cases, followed by comminuted fracture in 14% & sutural in 6%. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was seen in 90% cases, of which 26% cases was in the age group of 31–40 years. Conclusion This study made an effort to study the pattern of head injuries and intracranial haemorrhages leading to death in road traffic accidents. Appropriate preventive measures should be adopted to reduce head injury related deaths in road traffic accidents in the future. Top Keywords Fatal RTA, intracranial haemorrhage, skull fracture, head injury, autopsy. Top |