[An unusual case of self-harm with petroleum distillate].
After surgical treatment of an inguinal hernia, a 26-year-old male was discharged from hospital with a well healing surgical wound. Four weeks later he was admitted again with a major localized painful swelling of the soft tissues, whereas the clinical examination revealed no further local or systemic signs of inflammation. The immediate operation disclosed no abscess formation, but a large colliquation necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue with an outstanding petroleum-like odour. On toxicological examination of the necrotic tissue, a respective petroleum distillate was found. The patient was confronted with the suspicion of having injected the petroleum preparation himself to prolong the wound healing and finally admitted the self-mutilating behaviour. The pathophysiology, clinical history and morphological findings are discussed in comparison with case reports of chemically induced self-mutilation.
Musshoff
F
F
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Bonn.
Schmidt
P
P
Madea
B
B
Pohl
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000473:Alkanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000473:Alkanes; D010578:Petroleum; C004544:naphtha