ELECTRICAL BURNS

ELECTRICAL BURNS - Electrical injuries are when high-energy current travels through the body due to contact with an electrical source. Injuries occur due to either the flow of current through the body, arc flash, or clothing that catches fire. With the former two, the body converts electricity to heat, which results in a thermal burn.

 There can be :-

• Depolarization: V.Fib (Heart), M/c cause     of death

• Burns

• Trauma: Direct Currents

High voltage vs low voltage burns

Endogenous vs exogenous burns:-

 

Joule burns:-

Crocodile burn

Filigree burns

LIGHTENING INJURIES:

LITCHENBERG FLOWERS

• Other names

– Arborescent Markings

– Filigree burns

– Keraunographic markings

GENERALISED EFFECTS OF HEAT

GENERALISED EFFECTS OF HEAT

1. Heat cramps - Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that can happen during activity in hot environments.

2. Heat Syncope- Heat syncope is a fainting (syncope) episode or dizziness that usually occurs when standing for too long or suddenly standing up after sitting or lying

3. Heat Exhaustion-Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating

4. Heat Stroke- Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes

Difference between Hear cramps vs heat syncope vs heat exhaustion vs heat stroke

" Localised effects of heat

Dry vs moist vs chemical heat"

EDH due to heat vs trauma

HEAT RUPTURE

• Due to excessive heat, skin contracts & ruptures

• Resembles:

– Laceration: ++, irregular

– Incised wounds: +

• Features of heat rupture:

– Blood vessels & nerves: Intact

– Bleeding in the wound: No

– Bruising/ abrasion in the margins: No

Ante- Mortem vs post- mortem burns