NEGLECT, ABUSE OR PATHOLOGY – CASE STUDY OF AN INTRACRANIAL HEMATOMA
2020
Feodor Odzhakov | AleksandrinaVlahova | Diyana Belezhanska | Aleksandar Apostolov
Introduction Establishing the mechanism and time of trauma is of paramount importance in forensic medical practice. Intracranial hematomas are usually difficult to interpret, especially when they are isolated. Materials and Methods The study presents a case of forensic autopsy on the body of a 5-month-old baby in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Deontology at University Hospital Aleksandrovska – Sofia. Samples from the internal organs have been obtained for additional histological examination. All relevant medical documents since birth have been examined and compared to the morphological findings. Results On external examination signs for hypotrophy and a head trauma have been established. Histological findings have been persuasive for acute inflammatory response in both lungs and myocardium. Upon examination of the medical documentation, data for epileptic seizure during treatment in another hospital 2 days prior to death has been registered. Even though the social background of the child has been controversial for both abuse and neglect, it has been concluded that the epileptic seizure has caused the head trauma and the cause of death is not related to it. Discussion This case study focuses on the importance of preliminary information in forensic medical practice and the variety of possible interpretations of trauma if such is scarce or lacking. Conclusion Interpretation of mechanism and time of any trauma in forensic medicine should be performed only after all the necessary information is present, not only based on its morphological appearance.
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