Medico-Legal Study of Immediate and Delayed Deaths of Severe Head Injuries

G. Hashim, Nabeel

	Medico-Legal Study of Immediate and Delayed Deaths of Severe Head Injuries
Mustansiriya Medical Journal
Article 1, Volume 7, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 67-73
Author
Nabeel G. Hashim
Abstract
Background: Fatal head injuries are frequently seen in medico-legal practice. Death occurs immediately in high percentage of cases and may be delayed after different periods according to the seriousness of the condition. Objectives: To know the period between severe head injury and death, to determine the ultimate cause of death and the importance of that especially from the medico-legal aspect. Methods: A full autopsy examination had been done on cadavers of 667 persons dead from head injuries in medico-legal institute of Baghdad during six months period from 1/3/2002- 31/8/2002. Those deaths were either immediate or delayed. All required information had been collected and converted to tables and figures to reach the objectives of the study. Results: The percentage of fatal head injuries was 40.7% of total number of deaths, and 50.8% of violent deaths. Immediate death occurred in 76% of the cases and delayed in 24% after different periods from the admission to the hospital. In addition to the other results of the study. Conclusions: Fatal head injuries have high percentage among medico-legal deaths. This refers to its importance and seriousness. Immediate death may occur in most of the cases. This study also concluded the importance of medico-legal studies for different medical branches.
Keywords
Medico; Legal; Immediate deaths; Delayed deaths; Severe head injuries

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