'Rib betrays heart'--a case report.
Penetrating or stab injuries of the chest are not uncommon and could be accidental, suicidal or homicidal. However, the present case discusses the importance of a careful examination of an unusual presentation in a motor vehicle accident. The case presented with haemopericardium and haemothorax due to penetrating rib injury to the heart, subsequent to blunt force trauma on the posterior chest wall. This case is highlighted, so that it becomes a necessary tool for the forensic experts to have an unprejudiced approach at autopsy and come to a reasonable conclusion.
Shetty
B Suresh Kumar
BS
Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, Karnataka 575001, India. bellisks@rediffmail.com
Babu
Y P Raghavendra
YP
Sameer
K S Muhammed
KS
Salian
Preetham Raj
PR
Shetty
Mahabalesh
M
Manipady
Shahnavaz
S
Majumdar
K Pradyumna
KP
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001344:Autopsy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012272:Ribs / Q000293:injuries*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult