Simon’s bleedings: a possible mechanism of appearance and forensic importance—a prospective autopsy study

Simon’s bleedings are stripe-like hemorrhages on the ventral surface of the intervertebral disks of the lumbar part of the spinal column. The aims of this study were to determine the appearance frequency of Simon’s bleedings in cases of hanging and in other cases of asphyxiations and to determine if the age of the deceased was in correlation with the occurrence of Simon’s bleedings. A prospective autopsic study included 147 cases of hanging, 39 other asphyxiation deaths, and 461 deaths other than asphyxiation (blunt trauma, natural deaths, etc.). Simon’s bleedings were present in 62.8% cases of hanging and in 61.5% cases of other types of asphyxiations. Simon’s bleedings are not specific for hanging (χ ² = 0.022, p > 0.05). Simon’s bleedings were less frequent in other cases. It was established that the older the person was, the possibility of Simon’s bleedings to occur would be less (Spearman’s correlation coefficient = −0.225, p < 0.001; Wald coefficient = 29.798, p < 0.001). In the cases of hanging, there is statistically significant difference in average age between the groups with and without Simon’s bleedings (t = 2.875, p = 0.017). The older the person was, the lower the likelihood of Simon’s bleedings to occur: if the person was more than 60 years old, there was 70% probability of not having Simon’s bleedings, and if older than 70, this probability would rise to 88% (Wald coefficient = 7.609, p = 0.021). In older persons who died due to hanging, throat skeleton fractures accompanied by local hemorrhage could be considered as a vital sign. In younger persons, where throat skeleton fractures are less frequent, Simon’s bleedings could be the vital sign of premortem hanging. Simon’s bleedings, in cases of asphyxiation, most likely occur due to agonal convulsions and forced movements in lumbosacral part of spinal column. Additional factor for the appearance of Simon’s bleedings in hanging is traction of body and especially this part of spinal column due to gravity.     

Rectal wall hemorrhage in hanging autopsy cases

The aim of our study was to analyze hemorrhagic lesions of the rectal wall in hanging autopsy cases. All autopsy reports regarding hanging from January 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and two hanging cases were selected out of 1379 autopsy cases. Rectal wall hemorrhage was found in about 4% of the cases (n=4). Two of these 4 cases (50%) were associated with bowel wall hemorrhage, suggesting a similar possible etiology by abdominal congestion during the agonal phase. Another etiology could be an hemorrhagic lividity in the rectum. As it is not possible to determine with certainty the etiology, even with the use of histology, the detection of rectal wall hemorrhage cannot be used as another sign of vital hanging. Such rectum changes raise the possibility of sexual assault. Forensic pathologists should be aware of such an occurrence and avoid potential harmful misinterpretation.     

Bowel wall hemorrhage after death by hanging

We describe and discuss autopsy findings of bowel wall hemorrhage in a study population comprising cases of suicidal death by hanging. Intramural hemorrhages were seen in approximately 12% of the cases examined; no preexisting bowel diseases were found. In hanging deaths with a longer agonal phase, we opine that abdominal congestion during the hanging process provides a viable pathophysiological explanation for bowel wall hemorrhage. Though we are not dealing here with obligatory autopsy findings, the detection of bowel wall hemorrhage might be used as another sign of vital hanging after considering differential diagnostic aspects.     

Death by hanging: a retrospective case-control investigation of the intervertebral disc vacuum phenomenon on PMCT

During hanging gravitational forces affect the spine. Intervertebral vacuum phenomenon (VP) implies that gas accumulations in the discs are caused by degeneration of the spine and trauma. It was hypothesized that VP detected on postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has a higher incidence in hanging deaths, which can be correlated to age, degenerative spinal changes and type of hanging (complete-incomplete). Secondly, it was investigated whether the presence of Simon’s bleedings is related to hanging type and VP on PMCT. A retrospective hanging case-control study of 72 cases was conducted. PMCT data were evaluated by two observers for the presence of VP and its localization within the thoracic and lumbar discs, and for any degenerative changes of the spine. Autopsy protocols were assessed for the presence of Simon’s bleedings during autopsy. VP did not statistically differ among hanging and control cases but it was statistically correlated to complete hanging, increasing age and degenerative spinal changes. Centrally located VP within the discs was correlated to hanging, especially complete hanging, and younger ages, contrary to control cases that showed gas at the disc periphery. Simon’s bleedings were correlated with complete hanging and centrally located VP. Centrally located VP within the discs increases the probability for complete hanging, while increasing age and degenerative changes reduce this probability. Intervertebral VP is multifactorial radiological entity. The presence of centrally located VP can indicate that hanging could be considered as an alternative mechanism of death and that great forces and loads may have affected the spine perimortem, especially with decreasing age and when Simon’s bleedings are present.     

“Bowel wall hemorrhage”: A characteristic sign in hanging death

Bowel wall hemorrhage is recently suggested as a characteristic sign of death by hanging. This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the frequency of bowel wall hemorrhage in autopsies performed on corpses identified as death-by-hanging in Tehran's autopsy hall. All hanging cases from June 2011 to end of June 2012 were included in this study. Demographic data were collected, physical examination was completed and postmortem changes were recorded in all cases. Autopsies were performed focused to identify bowel wall hemorrhage. Severe putrefied corpses, cases with the history and signs of abdominal trauma, history of coagulopathies and chronic intestinal diseases were excluded from this study.The frequency and standard deviation were calculated. T-test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. 138 hanging cases were studied. Bowel wall hemorrhage was confirmed by microscopic examination in 16 cases (11.6%). The mean age was 35.31 ± 11.41 years. The mean of height, weight and BMI were 173.25 ± 6.06 cm, 71.56 ± 7.76 kg, and 28.80 ± 2.01 kg/m² respectively. Hanging was complete in 9 cases (56.2%).Our findings show that after exclusion of other conditions leading to intra-abdominal congestion, presence of bowel wall hemorrhage, especially in the small bowel, can be an important sign for death by hanging together with other previously described signs.     

Relevant findings on postmortem CT and postmortem MRI in hanging,ligature strangulation and manual strangulation and their additional value compared to autopsy – a systematic review

Several articles have described the use of postmortem computed tomography (CT) and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in forensic medicine. Although access to CT scanners and, particularly, access to MRI scanners, is still limited for several institutes, both modalities are being applied with increasing frequency in the forensic setting. Certainly, postmortem imaging can provide crucial information prior to autopsy, and this method has even been considered a replacement to autopsy in selected cases by some forensic institutes. However, the role of postmortem imaging has to be assessed individually according to various injury categories and causes of death. Therefore, this systematic review focuses on the role of postmortem CT and MRI in cases of hanging and ligature and manual strangulation. We assessed the most common and relevant findings on CT and MRI in cases of strangulation and compared the detectability of these findings among CT, MRI and autopsy. According to the available literature, mainly fractures of the hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage were investigated using postmortem CT. Compared to autopsy, CT demonstrated equivalent results concerning the detection of these fractures. A currently described “gas bubble sign” may even facilitate the detection of laryngeal fractures on CT. Regarding the detection of hemorrhages in the soft tissue of the neck, postmortem MRI is more suitable for the detection of this “vital sign” in strangulation. Compared to autopsy, postmortem MRI is almost equally accurate for the detection of hemorrhages in the neck. Another “vital sign”, gas within the soft tissue in hanging, which is hardly detectable by conventional autopsy, can be clearly depicted by CT and MRI. The number of cases of manual and ligature strangulation that were investigated by means of postmortem CT and MRI is much smaller than the number of cases of hanging that were investigated by CT and MRI. Likewise, judicial hanging and the hangman’s fracture on postmortem imaging were described in only a few cases. Based on the results of this systematic review, we discuss the additional value of CT and MRI in fatal strangulation compared to autopsy, and we reflect on where the literature is currently lacking.     

A fatal case of adult small bowel volvulus

A 56-year-old man was hit by a car while riding a bicycle, immediately brought to the hospital, and treated. Four days after the accident, he reported abdominal pain and vomiting in the night, and he died the next day. A forensic autopsy was performed, and almost of the entire small bowel had gangrenous swelling. The mesentery was twisted 180° with clockwise rotation along the vascular axis, and pre-autopsy computed tomography scan showed a whirl sign.     

Ultrasound and Doppler findings in a rare case of Castleman's disease of the parotid

Castleman''s disease of the parotid gland is an extremely rare entity, with fewer than 20 cases reported in world literature so far and only 1 previous case report describing the ultrasound findings. The Doppler findings of parotid Castleman''s disease have never been described before to the best of the authors'' knowledge. This report describes the ultrasonographic and Doppler findings in a histopathologically proven case of Castleman''s disease of the left parotid gland in a young man.     

Amussat- und andere typische Zeichen der Strangulation

This article presents two cases of unusual suicide by hanging of young men. These two cases have the typical ligature mark and hemorrhages in the soft tissues of the neck in common. Disruption of the laryngeal structures was also found as well as complete and partial ruptures of the carotid arteries, which are only rarely observed. By definition, Amussat?s sign is a horizontal intimal tear of the carotid artery below the bifurcation and in combination with hemorrhages it provides evidence of intravital mechanisms during death or suicide by hanging. Asphyxiation due to blood aspiration following massive injuries to internal cervical structures was established as the cause of death; however, both cases were initially unusual because no rope or other implement was found near the body and one victim even survived the attempted suicide by hanging and covered a distance of 300 m before dying. Based on these cases of suicidal hanging, the occurrence of typical injuries to the neck due to strangulation, including Amussat’s sign are discussed.     

Munchmeyer's disease—a rare case report and review of literature

Munchmeyer''s disease is a rare variety of myositis ossificans. It is a significant clinical entity, diagnosing and understanding its pathophysiology can save a patient from spurious medical workups and anxiety of a suspected neoplasm. The number of authentic cases of this disease in the literature is small. The purpose of this article is to present a case of Munchmeyer''s disease and review the literature for the same to date. The rare incidence, obscure aetiology, unknown definitive treatment plan and poor prognosis make this condition an enigma.     

CT血管征在肺微小结节定性诊断中的价值

目的：通过对66例肺微小结节的CT表现进行观察和分析,探讨CT血管征在肺微小结节定性诊断中的价值。方法：选择行CT检查所检出的最大直径≤1．5cm的肺微小结节患者66例作为观察对象。结果：本组血管征的总出现率为57．58%（38／66）,其中恶性结节血管征出现率为72．09％（31／43）,良性结节为30．43％（7／23）,两者间差异有高度统计学意义（χ2=10．65,P〈0．001）;肺微小结节的血管征分为4型,本组Ⅰ型7例,均为恶性;Ⅱ型9例,其中良性3例;Ⅲ型6例,均为恶性;Ⅳ型16例,良性4例;其它小肺癌CT征象出现率则较低,分析时结合血管征可作为鉴别诊断的参考。结论：CT血管征在肺微小结节的诊断与鉴别诊断中有较高的价值,血管征表现为Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型时应考虑为恶性,表现为Ⅱ型和Ⅳ型时要结合其它CT征象进行诊断。     

Morphometric characterization of Binswanger's disease: comparison with Alzheimer's disease

Background and purpose

Dementia due to hypertensive vascular disease is a potential target to treat prophylactively before it progresses insidiously. Binswanger's disease (BD) is a type of subcortical vascular dementia, but its clinical features and pathophysiology are still obscure. We therefore tried to find a topographic distribution of brain atrophy in BD by morphometric analysis.

Methods

Twenty patients with BD, 50 patients with AD, and 80 elderly controls were recruited. We contrasted the gray matter atrophy of BD to that of AD to identify a pathognomic pattern using magnetic resonance imaging. We used DARTEL (diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponential Lie algebra) for voxel-based morphometry, expecting that its sophisticated algorithm would work well to deal with the subjects with brain atrophy.

Results

Atrophy of cortices was predominant in the posterior cortices in AD but was in the anterior cortices in BD. Atrophy of amygdala and hippocampus was similar in each disease. In contrast, thalamus, caudate nucleus, insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and frontal cortices were significantly more atrophied in BD than in AD (z-score >3).

Conclusions

We demonstrated topographic patterns of brain atrophy in BD. Since affected regions of BD match with the anatomical connections of frontal–subcortical circuits, it seems reasonable to suppose that BD pathology is the result of hypertensive vascular disease and subsequent regression from the white matter injuries.     

Postmortem multislice computed tomography (pmMSCT) imaging of hangman’s fracture

First described in 1965, avulsion of the neural arch from the vertebral body of the axis (C2) as a sequel to violent and rapid hyperextension of the head was termed hangman’s fracture because of its similarity to the injury observed after judicial hanging. Since diagnosing such a fracture at autopsy is difficult because of its anatomic position, accurate determination of features of a hangman’s fracture in cases of non-judicial hanging has not been systematically elucidated. We performed a prospective autopsy study visualizing hangman’s fractures in 32 cases of hanging using postmortem multislice computed tomography (pmMSCT). A hangman’s fracture with a fracture of the vertebral arch adjacent to the C2 vertebral body was only detected in one case (3.1 %). In this case a rarely observed longer drop with a lateral knot was used. Although a hangman’s fracture was invariably observed bilaterally in previously reported cases, our case revealed a unilateral fracture at the side corresponding to the location of the knot. Out of the three types of hangman’s fracture, pmMSCT is especially useful for detecting type 1 (nonangulated, undisplaced C2 with a normal disk at C2/C3). Also, pmMSCT is superior to conventional radiography in diagnosis, especially when the fracture is extending into the transverse foramen. In conclusion, pmMSCT imaging is useful for detecting hangman’s fracture in hanging cases. Accumulating more evidence through pmMSCT will allow clarification of the actual incidence and circumstantial findings of hangman’s fracture that have been controversially debated for many decades in the forensic community.     

主动脉乳头征的X线探讨（附三例报告）

主动脉乳头征国内无专题报告,熟悉其Ｘ线表现艰提高有关疾病的鉴别诊断是有益的。经胸部透视或摄片发现乳头征,依不同病例分别进行下腔静脉造影,通过侧支循环充盈左上肋间静脉,并显示出乳头征,术后再行胸秀或摄片观察。     

Homicide by hanging: A case report and its forensic-medical aspects

We report a rare case of homicide by hanging. The postmortem examination resulted in a verdict of death by suicidal hanging and the Public Prosecutor's Office released the body for burial. After intervention by the relatives police investigations were resumed. Based on evidence impossible to reconcile with the results of the postmortem examination and requiring further clarification, an autopsy was ordered. The results of the postmortem could not be brought in line with a suicidal hanging and were further substantiated by DNA analysis. The scenario put forward by the defense claiming a secondary transfer of trace evidence onto the ligature and the victim's clothes was excluded because of the distribution pattern and the trace evidence ratio. The defendant was sentenced to 20 years of prison for homicide. The verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court and commuted to 18 years.     

纵隔肿瘤定性诊断中值得重视的几种X线征象

通过对２１８例经病理学证实的纵隔肿瘤影像学资料（全部有胸部正、侧位片，８９例加作ＣＴ扫描，７例加作ＭＲＩ检查）的分析，讨论了５种对纵隔肿瘤平片定性诊断有价值的Ｘ线征象。立舌征提示胸腺瘤；倒置三角形征提示胸内甲状腺；肺尖圆球征提示后纵隔神经源肿瘤；攀藤征见于前纵隔者提示胸腺瘤，见于中纵隔者提示脉管性肿瘤；蛋壳样钙化征见于前纵隔者提示胸腺瘤，见于纵隔中上区者提示胸内甲状腺。     

Secondary combined suicide pact

This article reports a combined suicide pact, where in a young couple; a 26 year old male and a 20 year old female committed suicide by using two methods. The couple had resorted to hanging and self-immolation to prevent failure of single method alone. In secondary combined suicides, several other methods of suicide are tried after the first method chosen has failed. It is primary combined suicide only when two or more methods are used simultaneously. Both types of combined suicide by one individual is well reported in the literature whereas the same by two persons together is rare. In this report, the deceased were disappointed lovers, poor and the family members were against their marriage. The investigation of scene, methods employed to commit suicide, autopsy findings and the interview with their relatives altogether suggested that it was a secondary combined suicide pact.     

The chronological age estimation of third molar mineralization of Han population in southwestern China

The purpose of the study was to estimate the chronology of third molar mineralization in Han population of southwestern China and find its unique characteristics so that it would provide a reference in several legal cases like forensic age estimation. The study used Demirjian's staging method to study 2192 orthopantomograms of 984 male and 1208 female subjects aged between 8 and 25 years. The statistical data was analyzed by Student's t test and ANOVA.The conclusions of the study are: (1) The chronological mineralization age of third molars of Han population in Southwestern China is similar to the Turkish and the Japanese, was earlier than the Austrian and Han of South China, but later than the Spanish. (2) The mineralization timing of the third molars between two sides in maxilla or mandible has no significant differences in the same gender group. (3) There is no significant difference in mineralization of third molars between male and female, except for tooth 48 in Demirjian's stage E. (4) The mineralization of third molar in maxilla is earlier than mandible.     

Uneventful recovery from suicidal hanging: a case report

Although hanging accounts for a considerable number of suicidal deaths in Sri Lanka, on rare occasions the victims survive. A few cases have been reported in the literature where victims survived after varying periods of unconsciousness. It has been observed that death does not necessarily result from hanging, provided the victim is brought down promptly and resuscitated actively and vigorously. This paper focuses on an unusual case of a 39-year-old male who survived after resuscitation, without any adverse neurological outcome, after a suicide attempt by hanging.