Browsing by Author "Pollanen, M. S."

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Electrical injury of the neck and cardiac air embolism: a novel mechanism of death
(Humana Press, 2009) Kitulwatte, I.; Pollanen, M. S.
We report a case of air embolism in an industrial worker complicating a deep electrical injury in the neck. He was found dead in an upright position while his chest and head were resting on top of a live transformer. At autopsy, there were multiple electrical burns involving the face, neck, chest, and arms. There was a deep electrical burn associated with hemorrhage in the neck involving the skin, underlying subcutaneous tissue, strap muscles, and the thyroid gland. The internal examination showed a prominently bulging right atrium, which was filled with air and not blood. At autopsy, when the pericardium was filled with water and the right atrium opened, a large number of bubbles emerged. We concluded that death was due to air embolism complicating electrical damage to the neck veins. This case illustrates that acute complications of electrical burns rather than electrocution-related cardiac arrhythmia can be the mechanism of death in rare electricity-related deaths. It also reveals the difficulties encountered by the pathologist in determining the exact mechanism of death when there are competing mechanisms.
The Interaction of injury and disease in the elderly: a case report of fatal elder abuse
(Elsevier, 2009) Paranitharan, P.; Pollanen, M. S.
We report a case of an elderly demented woman who died of a mitral rheumatic valvular disease in the context of multiple injuries and from elder abuse. History from police investigation indicated that the deceased was found collapsed on the floor in her bedroom for several days prior to death by her son who did not initiate medical care. Autopsy revealed a frail elderly woman with Alzheimer's disease and evidence of multiple healing sublethal blunt impact injuries of the face, mouth, neck, upper chest, and extremities. In addition, there was unwashed dirt encrusted skin, urine/fecal staining of skin and clothing, dirty overgrown toenails, and matting of the hair. This constellation of findings supports the medical diagnosis of elder abuse with neglect. However, the immediate cause of death was the left-sided congestive heart failure from mitral rheumatic valvular disease. Although the underlying cause of death was related to the chronic cardiac condition, the physical abuse and neglect was considered significant contributing factors to death, since physiologically the injuries and lack of medical treatment was thought to have hastened death by exacerbating the underlying heart disease. This case underscores the need for the forensic pathologist to consider contextual variables and sublethal injuries in cases were the causal interpretations benefit from a more holistic approach. Otherwise, cases like such as the one reported can go unnoticed and certified as a simple natural death.
Pseudo-gunshot wound injury from perforating rib fracture: a cautionary case report
(Humana Press, 2008) Paranitharan, P.; Parai, J. L.; Pollanen, M. S.
We report a case of a young woman who was found unresponsive in a garbage dumpster beneath the balcony of her 9th floor apartment residence. Initial investigations by the police and coroner raised concerns regarding the circumstances of the death. Initial examination of the body, revealed a single penetrating injury on the chest with a wide abrasion collar--the injury pattern was similar to a gunshot entry wound or a shored exit wound. Autopsy revealed the abraded skin perforation along with major chest injuries with bruising of the chest wall, extensive comminuted rib fractures, and pleural and lung lacerations. These injuries were consistent with the effects of a fatal descent from height. The penetrating injury with the abrasion collar was due to a fractured end of a rib protruding through the skin mimicking a gunshot wound. The involvement of a firearm was further excluded by postmortem radiography (no projectile in situ), detailed external examination of the clothing, and scene investigation revealing that the decedent had descended from a balcony into the dumpster. This case underscores the concept that all round penetrating wounds with abrasion collars are not gunshot injuries.
Utility of postmortem vitreous biochemistry
(Faculty of Medicine,University of Peradeniya, 2011) Paranitharan, P.; Pollanen, M. S.