Delayed esophageal perforation following lightning strike: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

IntroductionLightning is the second most common storm-related cause of death. The mortality following lightning strike is 10% to 30% and a large proportion of these people suffer cardiopulmonary arrest at the time of the strike. Much less commonly, solid organ injuries occur from either primary or secondary blunt force trauma.Case presentationTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature of an isolated esophageal rupture caused by lightning strike blunt force trauma.ConclusionsSolid organ injuries are often underappreciated in lightning strikes. Blast injury to patients by lightning strikes should prompt clinicians to search for occult organ injury.

İstanbul’da 2007-2012 Yillari Arasinda Yildirim Çarpmasina Bağli Ölümler

“…[5] Bone fractures, brain hemorrhage and internal organ injuries can be revealed as a result of burst effect of lightning. [2,33] Bilateral or unilateral basal ganglia bleeding due to lightning strikes may also be seen. [7,34] In the postmortem study of Pincus et al, was reported cerebral edema, subarachnoid, subgaleal and periosteal hemorrhage may be seen due to lightning strikes.…”

“…[1] Lightning can emit more than 1 million volts of energy, thus more than 200,000 amperes of current may occur. [2] The air surrounding the lightning can heat up to 25,000 to 30,000 °C. However, it does not always cause serious injury, as lightning contact is very short (2 msec).…”

“…On the contrary, the literature shows that the mortality rate is 10-30% due to lightning strikes. [2,4,5] The electric current in lightning strike is direct current (DC) and the amount of DC current transmitted due to lightning strike is far higher than that produced by alternative current (AC). [4] There are seven different ways in which lightning can interact with human body: "direct strike, side flash (splash), touch (contact) voltage, step voltage (ground strike, stride potential, ground current), subsequent stroke, connecting leaders and shock waves".…”

Lightning Strike Presenting As Fatal Lung Contusion: A Case Report

“…Around 0.2-1.7 deaths per million people are reportedly caused by lightning each year globally [ 2 ]. In India, lightning strikes are thought to be responsible for over 2500 fatalities every year [ 3 ].…”