Skull Fracture Patterns and Morphologies Among Fatal Motorcycle Traffic Accident Victims in Vietnam

Abstract

We aim to describe morphological structures of skull fractures and relevant factors in motorcycle accident victims in Vietnam. This work represents a retrospective cross-sectional study based on forensic reports of fatal motorcycle accident victims. Between January 2013 and August 2019, a total of 226 fatal motorcycle accident patients with skull fracture diagnoses were enrolled. Linear and depressed fractures were the common patterns (46.0% and 37.2% of cases, respectively), whereas stellate (11.5%) fractures were rare. Fractures of the temporal bone (68.6% of cases) and basilar skull (60.6%) were the most common, whereas fractures of the parietal bone were the least common (9.7%). Two or more patterns of skull fracture were recorded in 25.5% of cases, and 2 or more fracture locations were recorded in 76.6% of cases. Fractures of the parietal bone were associated with victims not wearing a helmet. In addition, fractures of the basilar skull were more likely to occur among victims with alcohol consumption. We found the common pattern of skull fractures was linear and depressed fractures, and the common location of skull fractures was temporal and basilar bone. Further studies that include larger sample sizes and collect more information should be conducted to better understand relationships between skull fractures and related factors.

“Lung in the Skull”

“…These include, for example, fuel tank injury (groin and pelvic injuries in head-on collisions), motorcyclist's fracture (hinge fracture in which a transverse crack extends the width of middle cranial fossa), helmet-associated cranial fractures, trunk transections, and decapitations. [15][16][17][18] Several authors shared unusual stab-like and impaling injuries due to motorcycle collisions. 19,20 This case highlights the novel presentation of crushing injury, manifested by lung pieces herniation into the intracranial space via skull base hinge fracture.…”

“…Several well-established motorcycle-related, injury patterns and mechanisms have been recorded in the literature. These include, for example, fuel tank injury (groin and pelvic injuries in head-on collisions), motorcyclist's fracture (hinge fracture in which a transverse crack extends the width of middle cranial fossa), helmet-associated cranial fractures, trunk transections, and decapitations 15–18 . Several authors shared unusual stab-like and impaling injuries due to motorcycle collisions 19,20 …”

Skull Fracture Patterns and Morphologies among Riders of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

“…I read with great interest the article titled "Skull Fracture Patterns and Morphologies Among Fatal Motorcycle Traffic Accident Victims in Vietnam" by Anh et al, published in March 2021. 1 The authors analyzed the pattern and morphology of skull fractures and relevant associative factors in riders of fatal motorcycle accidents. Their study shows that the linear fracture was the most common pattern of skull fracture, which agrees with many studies.…”