Study on the microstructures of skull fracture

The authors observed the edges of skull fractures under the scanning electron microscope. Many microfractures can be found along the main fracture lines. The width of the microfractures varies from 5 to 100 microns. They may be located either in the external compact bone or between the outer compact bone and dipl?e, or in the dipl?e. Those within the dipl?e form transverse, longitudinal or spiral fractures of bony trabeculae. Collagenous fibre bunches in the bony matrix may be divided or broken and the different layers of collagenous fibre may be separated. The blood vessels inside the skull may be crosscut or longitudinally torn by the fracture lines. Sometimes the torn blood vessels may be drawn out of the Haversian canals. In antemortem fractures, the fibrin networks and red blood cells can be easily found in the depths of those cracks. The possible mechanism of formation of the microfractures and the possibility of differentiation between ante- and post-mortem fractures are discussed.     

A new staining method for constriction marks in skin.

A modified Poley's acid fuchsin-methyl green stain was used to demonstrate ligature marks in tissues taken at autopsy. This stain was compared in 30 cases with haematoxylin-eosin, Mallory's trichrome and Ogata's picro-indigocarmine stains. Using the modified Poley method, it was possible to demonstrate the compression mark in corpses even when post-mortem changes were advanced. The method was found useful in evaluating the cases when the force used was minimal or when the mark was atypical using the usual haematoxylin-eosin method.     

Widespread myocardial and pulmonary bone marrow embolism following cardiac massage.

Widespread fatal massive bone marrow embolism of the coronary and the pulmonary arteries are described in a 71-year-old man with a respiratory disease. Cardiac massage was carried out during the cardiac arrest. In autopsy findings there were no fractures of the ribs or the sternum. The authors suggested that the cardiac massage was the most important predisposing factor for the bone marrow embolism.