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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

[Lightning stroke].

A case is reported of a 23 year old white man who was struck by lightning. The patient suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest. Immediately, he received external cardiac massage and artificial breathing, which were successful. He was then admitted to an intensive care unit, where the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was made, on the basis of electrocardiographic abnormalities, a significative elevation of cardiac enzymes, and ultimately a thallium-201 scintigraphy. There were no complications of this heart injury, except for a persistent sinus tachycardia, which was treated by the infusion of a beta-blocking agent (oxprenolol). This case showed the importance of rapidly undertaking resuscitative measures in these circumstances, and to admit such a patient to an intensive care unit to undergo continuous cardiac monitoring, because the possibility of potentially serious cardiac complications, like life-threatening cardiac rhythm disturbances or acute myocardial infarction, as well as preventive, or curative, treatment of the complications which may follow lightning injury. This attitude is justified by the usually excellent prognosis of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Biophysical injury mechanisms in electrical shock trauma.

Electrical shock trauma tends to produce a very complex pattern of injury, mainly because of the multiple modes of frequency-dependent tissue-field interactions. Historically, Joule heating was thought to be the only cause of electrical injuries to tissue by commercial-frequency electrical shocks. In the last 15 years, biomedical engineering research has improved the understanding of the underlying biophysical injury mechanisms. Besides thermal burns secondary to Joule heating, permeabilization of cell membranes and direct electroconformational denaturation of macromolecules such as proteins have also been identified as tissue-damage mechanisms. This review summarizes the physics of tissue injury caused by contact with commercial-frequency power lines, as well as exposure to lightning and radio frequency (RF), microwave, and ionizing radiation. In addition, we describe the anatomic patterns of the resultant tissue injury from these modes of electromagnetic exposures.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Basal ganglia hemorrhage related to lightning strike.

We describe a case of bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage after a lightning strike to the head documented by a CT scan. Review of the literature shows this to be the most common brain imaging finding that can be attributed to a lightning strike. Several mechanistic theories are discussed, with the most plausible one being related to preferential conduction pathways through the brain.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

National athletic trainers' association position statement: lightning safety for athletics and recreation.

OBJECTIVE: To educate athletic trainers and others about the dangers of lightning, provide lightning-safety guidelines, define safe structures and locations, and advocate prehospital care for lightning-strike victims. BACKGROUND: Lightning may be the most frequently encountered severe-storm hazard endangering physically active people each year. Millions of lightning flashes strike the ground annually in the United States, causing nearly 100 deaths and 400 injuries. Three quarters of all lightning casualties occur between May and September, and nearly four fifths occur between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM, which coincides with the hours for most athletic or recreational activities. Additionally, lightning casualties from sports and recreational activities have risen alarmingly in recent decades. RECOMMENDATIONS: The National Athletic Trainers' Association recommends a proactive approach to lightning safety, including the implementation of a lightning-safety policy that identifies safe locations for shelter from the lightning hazard. Further components of this policy are monitoring local weather forecasts, designating a weather watcher, and establishing a chain of command. Additionally, a flash-to-bang count of 30 seconds or more should be used as a minimal determinant of when to suspend activities. Waiting 30 minutes or longer after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder is recommended before athletic or recreational activities are resumed. Lightning- safety strategies include avoiding shelter under trees, avoiding open fields and spaces, and suspending the use of land-line telephones during thunderstorms. Also outlined in this document are the prehospital care guidelines for triaging and treating lightning-strike victims. It is important to evaluate victims quickly for apnea, asystole, hypothermia, shock, fractures, and burns. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is effective in resuscitating pulseless victims of lightning strike. Maintenance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid certification should be required of all persons involved in sports and recreational activities.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Electrocution: a review of 155 cases with emphasis on human factors.

A review of 155 cases of electrocution were investigated to determine the role of human factors, such as carelessness and intoxication, as contributions. The cases were retrieved by computer coding from the repository of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, covering the period 1955-1988. The cases are predominantly of military origin. Cases were divided into low-voltage electrocution (N = 47), high-voltage electrocution (N = 79), lightning strikes (N = 16), and unclassified (N = 13). For each group, data is presented on the circumstances of the incident and the pathologic findings. Blatant carelessness, misuse or improper maintenance of equipment, and intoxication are analyzed as contributory factors.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Was Saint Paul struck blind and converted by lightning?

In the Bible, St. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was struck blind by a light from heaven. Three days later his vision was restored by a "laying on of hands." The circumstances surrounding his blindness represent an important episode in the history of religion. Numerous theories have been proposed to account for this event which has been the subject of interest of theologians, philosophers, artists, and physicians. A lightning strike could explain all of the features of this episode. The proposal of a theory which correlates St. Paul's symptoms with contemporary scientific knowledge makes his recovery of vision and conversion no less miraculous or religiously significant since the theory demonstrates that, indeed, the event may have occurred exactly as stated in the Bible.

Asia, Western↗
PubMed1996

Acoustic trauma caused by lightning.

Lesions produced by exposure to noise are frequent in everyday life. Injuries may be found in all systems of the human body, from the digestive to the endocrine, from the cardiovascular to the nervous system. Many organs may be damaged, the ear being one of them. It is known that noise produced by factories, airports, musical instruments and even toys can cause auditory loss. Noises in nature can also cause acoustic trauma. This report is the case history of acoustic trauma caused by lightning. The patient was studied with CAT scan, electroencephalogram, and brain mapping, impedance audiometry with tympanogram and acoustic reflex, audiometry and evoked otoacoustics emissions: distortion products and transients.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMed1990

Destruction of hearing aid by lightning strike.

A 20-year-old woman was struck by lightning while seeking shelter under a tree. The discharge entered at the site of the victim's behind-the-ear type hearing aid, destroying it. She suffered cardiorespiratory arrest, burns, left ventricular failure, and myoglobinuria, yet recovered fully. It is widely known that carrying a metallic object such as an umbrella or golf club above one's head increases the risk of being struck. However, few people know that small metallic objects worn on the head are similarly dangerous. Persons caught outside in a lightning storm might decrease the probability of being struck by removing all metallic objects from their head.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[The effect of electricity on the myoglobin content of the human heart and skeletal muscles].

The myoglobin content of heart muscles was examined by the indirect immunoperoxidase method in eight autopsy cases where death was due to electricity. Seven cases showed a considerable release of myoglobin from the myocardial fibers. In experimental comparison, the heart muscles and skeletal muscles from nine cases where death was natural were exposed to electricity, and considerable deletion of myoglobin was also demonstrated. We believe that the findings of ischemia or thermal effects due to electricity were the cause of the release of myoglobin. Because the demonstration of myoglobin is preferable to estimation of the damaged areas of muscles by hematoxylin-eosin staining, this examination may be more advantageous in forensic examination of death by electricity.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

A retrospective study of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in a clinical practice.

A retrospective study of 227 traumatic tympanic membrane perforations was made. These perforations were treated in a clinical practice of otolaryngology between January 1969 and July 1977. The following conclusions were supported by the data obtained: 1. Larger perforations are less likely to heal spontaneously. 2. Lightning and molten metal injuries are less likely to heal spontaneously. 3. Final healing and hearing results are good regardless of the mode of therapy employed. 4. Spontaneous healing gives better results than early surgical intervention. 5. Infection adversely affects healing in traumatic perforations. Based on information delineated in the paper, a logical plan of treatment for traumatic perforations is presented.

Adult↗