Discrimination of Falls and Blows in Blunt Head Trauma: Assessment of Predictability Through Combined Criteria*

Abstract: The discrimination of falls from homicidal blows in blunt head injuries is a common but difficult problem in both forensic anthropology and pathology. Three criteria have been previously proposed for this distinction: the hat brim line rule, side lateralization of fractures, and number of lacerations. The aim of the present study was to achieve a better distinction rate by combining those criteria and assess the predictability of these combined criteria tools. Over a 6‐year period, a total of 114 cases (92 males and 22 females) were studied: 21 cases of downstairs falls, 29 cases of falls from one’s own height, and 64 cases of head trauma by a blunt weapon. The results revealed predictability rates varying from 62.5 to 83.3% for criteria pointing towards a fall. As for combined criteria in favor of a blow, the assumption was accurate in all cases (100%).     

电针治疗不完全性脊髓损伤神经源性膀胱23例

目的 观察电针治疗不完全性脊髓损伤神经源性膀胱的疗效。方法 将43例脊髓损伤性神经源性膀胱患者按照入院顺序随机分为治疗组（23例）和对照组（20例）,对照组患者给予膀胱训练4周,治疗组患者加用电针治疗。治疗前后观察两组24 h排尿次数、每次尿量、每周尿失禁次数、膀胱容量和残余尿量的变化。结果 治疗后两组患者的24 h排尿次数、每周尿失禁次数、残余尿量均较治疗前显著下降(P<0.01),膀胱容量和每次尿量显著增加(P<0.01);治疗组在降低膀胱残余尿量和升高膀胱容量方面显著优于对照组（P<0.01）。结论 电针结合膀胱训练可明显改善脊髓损伤性神经源性膀胱患者的膀胱功能。     

益气活血方对脊髓型颈椎病患者术后脊髓功能的影响

目的 观察自拟益气活血方对脊髓型颈椎病(cervical spondylotic myelopathy,CSM)术后脊髓功能状态的影响。方法 将72例术后CSM患者分为中药组（43例）和对照组（29例）,对照组患者接受西医常规治疗及康复治疗,中药组患者加服益气活血方1个月。采用脊髓功能状态评定法(40分法)分别于术前及术后1、4、8、12、24周评定脊髓功能。结果 术后24周,中药组临床疗效显著优于对照组（P<0.05）;两组术后1、4、8、12、24周脊髓功能评分均较术前显著升高（P<0.01）;中药组术后4周与术前差值、术后24周与术前差值均显著大于对照组（P<0.05）。结论 在西医常规治疗及康复治疗的基础上,给予益气活血方内服,能有效改善CSM患者术后脊髓功能。     

舌骨假阳性骨折12例分析

目的 探讨舌骨假阳性骨折形成的原因以及法医学鉴定要点. 方法 整理12例在实际检案中舌骨假阳性骨折案例资料并分析其形成原因. 结果 舌骨假阳性骨折主要是由于检验时人为操作（4例）以及先天性分离型舌骨（8例）误判所致. 结论 通过骨折周缘肌肉、软组织出血以及骨折断端检验,可以对人为操作因素致舌骨骨折、分离型舌骨等舌骨假阳性骨折与真性骨折进行区分.     

Death of a 6-year-old boy with mental retardation: accident versus child abuse

This case study involved death of a 6-year-old child with a history of mental retardation secondary to meningitis at 11 months, spastic quadriplegia, seizure disorder, and hydrocephaly with a remote ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and gastric tube feedings. Reportedly, the child was co-sleeping with his mother when she awoke and discovered him lying prone and not breathing on the carpeted floor next to the bed. He was transported to the hospital and died in the emergency room of unknown causes. The medical examiner assumed jurisdiction of the body. The external examination revealed petechial hemorrhages on the neck and face, with patterned linear pressure abrasions on the chest, arms, and face. X-rays revealed leg fractures of different ages. This case emphasizes the importance of coordination of death scene investigation, medical history review, and autopsy results through a forensic team approach to determine the accurate cause and manner of death.     

交通事故致胸、腰椎损伤致残等级评定447例分析

目的探讨车祸致胸、腰椎损伤程度与伤残程度的关系,总结伤残评定经验,探寻其规律性。方法选择胸、腰椎损伤的鉴定447例,重新审查诊断,分析治疗措施,评价胸腰部活动度丧失程度及神经功能障碍情况,分析损伤程度与后遗障碍之间的关系,综合评定伤残。结果胸、腰椎损伤类型及数量并不决定其胸、腰部活动障碍程度及神经损伤后遗症严重程度;椎体损伤的部位与胸腰部活动度障碍关系密切;神经损伤主要集中在T1至L2段脊柱损伤;椎体损伤医院误诊率较高。结论伤残评定应分析损伤与后遗症严重程度的因果关系,以损伤所致后遗症为评残依据,重点关注脊柱功能的丧失程度。     

颅骨骨折断面细微结构的观察研究

作者利用扫描电子显微镜,对颅骨骨折断面上微细结构的形态学特征进行了观察与研究,发现在颅骨骨折断面上有微细的骨折裂线,向断面深部的骨质中延伸,其宽度为5至100um不等,主要分布在颅骨外板内,或外板与板障的交界处.分布于板障内的微细裂线可造成骨小梁横行、纵行和螺旋形骨折.骨折时,骨基质中的胶原纤维束可被分离或断裂,各胶原纤维层可分开.骨内血管可被骨折裂线横断或纵形撕裂,损伤的血管可被从哈佛氏管中拉出.生前骨折时,在微细裂线的深方可清楚见到纤维蛋白网和红细胞相互粘集,死后骨折则未见到此现象.本文还探讨了颅骨骨折发生的机理和推断生前骨折的可能性.     

A Proposed Scheme for Classifying Pediatric Rib Head Fractures Using Case Examples

Pediatric rib head fractures are typically described as “posterior” or “costovertebral,” terms lacking specificity. To resolve this issue, a scheme was developed to describe the location of rib head fractures observed in a pediatric forensic population. The scheme uses three anatomical landmarks, terminus (tip), tubercle, and costovertebral articular surface to divide the rib head into two subregions, costovertebral and costotransverse. Examples of five cases of infants with rib head fractures are presented using this scheme. Forty‐eight rib head fractures were observed in these infants with the following frequencies: 56% (three infants) at the terminus; 21% (three infants) in the costovertebral subregion; 21% (one infant) at the costovertebral articular facet; and 2% (one infant) in the costotransverse subregion. Due to the small number of cases assessed, statistical analyses could not be performed; however, the data demonstrate the variation in distribution of pediatric rib head fractures.     

单纯性眶壁骨折法医学鉴定130例分析

目的 分析眶壁骨折的损伤特点,探讨眶壁骨折的法医学鉴定要点.方法 收集2010 2012年在某市公安局涉及单纯性眶壁骨折的130例案件进行回顾性分析,主要包括年龄、性别、致伤物、眶壁骨折的部位和形态、眶内及眶周的复合性损伤以及伤后6个月回访等. 结果 130例案例中,青壮年男性伤者比例较高,主要为拳头击打,单纯性眶内侧壁骨折的比例最高（81.5％）,眶内及眶周复合性损伤致眼睑挫伤（挫裂创）和筛窦（上颌窦）积血最为常见,6个月回访发现眶壁粉碎性骨折30例伤侧眼较健侧眼球略有凹陷. 结论 单纯性眶内侧壁骨折不宜评定轻伤,应待伤情稳定后再予以评定,全面详细的眼科检验是单纯性眶壁骨折鉴定的必要前提.     

Traumatic Death in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic rheumatic disease that causes spinal rigidity with an increased risk of spinal fractures. We present a case report where a middle‐aged man, in apparent good health, died following a fall from his bike. Postmortem computed tomography (CT) showed several fractures in the cervical and thoracic spine, with displacement into the spinal canal as well as spinal changes consistent with AS. The cause of death was determined to be upper spinal cord injury caused by cervical spinal fractures that were facilitated by spinal rigidity from AS. Further investigation into the medical records revealed that the decedent had previously been treated for AS. This case report illustrates the importance of obtaining a detailed medical history when investigating deaths, including nonfatal conditions, such as AS. Furthermore, it shows the value of CT in the evaluation of the mechanism and manner of death.