Electric injury: a case series

In the modern era, electricity acts as a vital zone for mankind. The most important external sign of electrocution is the electric mark. The internal findings of electrocution are usually unspecific. The electric mark can also be of postmortem origin and is therefore not a reliable proof that the electric shock occurred before death, unless the survival time was long enough for an inflammatory response of the affected tissue. Various cases of electrocution have been reported in literature but as per the best of authors knowledge none of them have been clearly explained for the establishment of complete electric circuit in reported cases; required for fatal electrocution. In the present case series, authors’ report and discuss the three cases of electrocution under different circumstances with deviations in expectations. Because of the diagnostic problems authors also discuss the significance and careful evaluation of incident/death scene in all definitive as well as suspected cases of electrocution and emphasize on various components required for complete electric circuit for flow of current

PROFILE OF MEDICO-LEGAL DEATHS DUE TO DROWNING – A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Death due to drowning is almost frequent in India, so it is but natural that, medico-legal expertise is called upon for investigations. Determining the cause of death in bodies found in water is quite challenging, which can be done by thorough investigation and complete autopsy by forensic pathologist. The present study was a retrospective, which was conducted for one year during June 2016 to May 2017 considering upon history and postmortem finding of the deceased. The maximum drowning cases were of male sex (74.73%), with commonest affected age group being 21-30 years (30.64%). Most of the drowning cases were accidental (55.91%) in nature and occurred commonly in water canal (55.37%), and rivers (25.26%). The most significant findings noted on autopsy were decomposition and animal bites (gnawing effects) (54.83%) and presence of heavy, voluminous, edematous and congested lungs with c/s showing copious frothy fluid (52.15%).</jats:p

PROFILE OF MEDICO-LEGAL DEATHS DUE TO DROWNING – A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Death due to drowning is almost frequent in India, so it is but natural that, medico-legal expertise is called upon for investigations. Determining the cause of death in bodies found in water is quite challenging, which can be done by thorough investigation and complete autopsy by forensic pathologist. The present study was a retrospective, which was conducted for one year during June 2016 to May 2017 considering upon history and postmortem finding of the deceased. The maximum drowning cases were of male sex (74.73%), with commonest affected age group being 21-30 years (30.64%). Most of the drowning cases were accidental (55.91%) in nature and occurred commonly in water canal (55.37%), and rivers (25.26%). The most significant findings noted on autopsy were decomposition and animal bites (gnawing effects) (54.83%) and presence of heavy, voluminous, edematous and congested lungs with c/s showing copious frothy fluid (52.15%).</jats:p

Assessment of Nutritional Status in Patients with COPD And Its Correlation With Severity of Disease

Background: Patients with COPD are at chronically high risk of nutritional deficiency . Identifying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with malnutrition is important to prevent associated mortality due to poor pulmonary function. The present study was carried out with an aim to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with COPD and correlate it with COPD severity. Methodology: This was a prospective observational study conducted on fifty three patients admitted with the diagnosis of COPD at a tertiary care hospital in central India from November 2019 to May 2021.Severity of COPD was assessed using spirometry tests according to GOLD guideline 2019.Anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests were also conducted in all subjects. Association between MNA scores (Nourished, At risk, Malnourished) and BMI was tested for statistical significance. Results: A positive correlation between nutritional status (MNA score) and severity of COPD was seen (R2 = 0.622; p = 0.01). Majority of the COPD patients were either malnourished (47.2 %) or at risk of malnutrition (41.5 %). Mean BMI was significantly lower in malnourished cases (16.4±0.73) as compared to at risk and nourished cases (18.33±1.3&amp;18.1±1.3p&lt;0.05). Mean length of hospital stay was least in nourished patients (6.8 ±3.5days) and maximum in malnourished patients (17.3 ±7.0 days) p=0.001.Conclusion: Majority of the COPD patients were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Malnourished patients had more severe disease that “at risk” and nourished COPD patients. Malnourished patients had longer length of hospital stay and higher readmission rate compared to “at risk” and “nourished’’ patients