Lightning strikes at a mass gathering.
Among natural disasters, lightning is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. A well-informed bystander and an astute physician can make the difference between an outcome of death or lifelong disability versus complete or near-complete recovery. What is done in the first few minutes after such an event is the predominant predictor of success. This case report describes a young woman who was struck by lightning while talking on a cellular telephone at a mass gathering in an outdoor stadium. The discussion that follows the case centers on the pathophysiology of being struck by lightning and on issues unique to being struck in a stadium full of people.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Providence Hospital, Washington, DC 20017, USA.
D P
DP
Milzman
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L
Moskowitz
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M
Hardel
D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004219:District of Columbia; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015168:Lightning Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008399:Mass Behavior; D009146:Music; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013689:Telephone; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*