Subdural Hemorrhage,a Retrospective Review with Emphasis on a Cohort of Alcoholics |
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Authors: | Stephen J. deRoux M.D. Anthony Sgarlato M.D. |
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Affiliation: | 1. New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY;2. Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, New York, NY |
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Abstract: | Subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is a common cause of death. As external evidence of injury may be absent, an autopsy is frequently needed to detect it. We conducted a 3‐year review of SDH from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, with emphasis on a cohort of alcoholics. Our study population of 1942 included 1588 alcoholics. Of the alcoholics, c. 8% had SDH (26% of the total number of SDH). Of the alcoholics with SDH, 57% had associated brain injuries. As alcohol intoxication is frequently associated with aggressive and violent behavior, we are concerned that 6% of alcoholics in our review had no autopsy or imaging studies. It is possible that a portion of these may have had a SDH due to an unrecognized inflicted injury. We recommend that autopsies be performed on all alcoholics without a clear cause or mechanism of death. |
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Keywords: | forensic science alcohol alcoholic acute subdural hemorrhage chronic subdural hemorrhage trauma |
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