"Thunderstruck": penetrating thoracic injury from lightning strike

Ann Emerg Med. 2014 Apr;63(4):457-9. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2013.08.021. Epub 2013 Sep 18.

Abstract

Lightning strike victims are rarely presented at an emergency department. Burns are often the primary focus. This case report describes the improvised explosive device like-injury to the thorax due to lightning strike and its treatment, which has not been described prior in (kerauno)medicine. Penetrating injury due to blast from lightning strike is extremely rare. These "shrapnel" injuries should however be ruled out in all patients struck by lightning.

MeSH terms

  • Blast Injuries / diagnosis
  • Blast Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Blast Injuries / etiology
  • Blast Injuries / pathology
  • Child
  • Diseases in Twins / diagnosis
  • Diseases in Twins / etiology
  • Diseases in Twins / pathology
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Humans
  • Lightning Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Lightning Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Lightning Injuries / pathology
  • Male
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnosis
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Injuries / etiology*
  • Thoracic Injuries / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnosis
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Penetrating / etiology*
  • Wounds, Penetrating / pathology