Electrical Shock Injury Research Articles

Pediatric electrical injury in Turkey: Fiveyear retrospective hospital-based study.

We aimed to evaluate children who presented with electrical injury to the emergency department. We tried to reveal the complications of these patients and the measures to be taken in this regard. Medical records of pediatric patients who were admitted with electrical injury to emergency department between January 2007 and January 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. An information form was completed about demographic data, clinical features, exposure place, electrical current type, clinical course, duration of hospitalization, electrocardiography, echocardiography and other systems findings. Children who were the most exposed to electrical injury were children 4 years and under. While low-voltage current exposure was more common in younger ages, high-voltage current exposure was more common in older ages. Most of our patients (%72) were exposed to low voltage. Patients who exposed to high-voltage electricity had significantly higher levels of CPK, CK-MB, LDH, AST, and ALT compared to patients who were exposed to low voltage electricity. None of the patients have died. Young children are often exposed to electric shock at home. Increasing precautions to be taken at home reduces electrical shock injuries. Children and especially families should be educated in this regard.

Reframing Our View of Workplace “Electrical” Injuries

National fire protection association (NFPA) 70E, electrical safety in the workplace, addresses electrical safety practices for electrical workers. However, the words “electrical safety in the workplace” might also be used to refer to electrical safety for all workers and general safety for electrical workers. Recent 2011-2015 Bureau of labor statistics (BLS) data indicate that, comparatively speaking, electrical work is not an exceptionally dangerous occupation and that electrical injuries are not unique to electrical workers. The BLS injury data reveals: Contact with electricity is a much higher percentage of fatal occupational injuries than nonfatal occupational injuries and the number of nonfatal electric shock and electrical burn injuries rose in 2015. The BLS data suggests that worker safety programs, in general, need to make electrical hazard awareness a priority. The BLS data specific to electricians showed a rising trend in fatalities, but a reduction in nonfatal injuries. Electrical workers are injured not only by electrical hazards, but also by violence, transportation accidents, falling, and overexertion; the percentages of the different injury types are explored to reinforce the importance of comprehensive safety training for electrical workers.

A Bipolar DC-Driven Touchable Helium Plasma Jet Operated in Self-Pulsed Mode

With a floating needle (positive polarity)-to-ring (negative polarity) electrode configuration insulated by the quartz tube, an atmospheric-pressure helium plasma jet driven by bipolar dc voltage is demonstrated. As the gap distance between the human finger and the tube exit varies from 18 to 1 mm, the generated plasma jet is always touchable without any feeling of the electrical shock or thermal injury. First, although dc high voltage is applied, the current delivered from the plasma jet to the human body is actually pulsed with the repetition frequency of 0.8–2 kHz. The maximum deposited power and the maximum current rms are 23.5 mW and $30~\mu \text{A}$ , respectively. Second, as the distance between the needle and the tube exit decreases, the pulse repetition frequency increases, and the peak value of the jet current decreases. Third, when the percentage of O2 in helium gas increases from 0% to 2%, the length of the plasma jet increases first and then decreases after it reaches the maximum of 20 mm at the O2 percentage of 0.5%. The peak value of the jet current increases from 0.4 to 0.9 mA, and the pulse repetition frequency decreases from 2 to 0.2 kHz. In addition, from the point of view of the discharge current, the electrical safety, and the optical emission spectra, a comparison with other dc-driven plasma jets with different electrode configurations (inverse polarity of the electrodes, ring grounded or no ring electrode) is presented. It reveals that the plasma jet having the bipolar electrode configuration is more active, portable, and safer for biomedical applications.

Forensic medical evaluation of electric shock injury

Elektrik akımı maruziyeti sonucu ölümcül kazaların sayısı hala yüksektir. Elektrik çarpmaları en sık kaza sonucu olduğu görülmektedir. TCK’da tanımlanan “Yaralama Suçlarının Adli Tıp Açısından Değerlendirilmesi” kılavuzunda elektrik yaralanmaları hususunda; giriş ve/veya çıkış lezyonu bulunması, vücuttan elektrik akımının geçtiğini gösteren klinik bulguların varlığı veya sağlık personeli tarafından kardiyopulmoner resüsitasyon uygulandığı durumlar yaşamsal tehlike olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmamızda elektrik çarpması sonucu saptanan bulgular eşliğinde oluşan lezyonların medikolegal açıdan tartışılması amaçlanmıştır. On yaşında erkek olgunun tıbbi belgelerinde elektrik çarpması giriş lezyonu tespit edildiği halde tetkiklerinde herhangi bir patoloji saptanmadığı bildirilmiştir. Bu olgunun yaralanmasının değerlendirmesi hususunda kılavuz dikkate alındığında yaşamsal tehlikeye neden olduğu belirtilmesi gerekirken, bizim değerlendirmemiz; vücudu kat etmeyen, elektrik akımı teması sonucu termal yanık ile karakterize lezyon oluşumuna neden olan yaralanmanın basit tıbbi müdahale ile giderilebilecek nitelikte olduğu şeklindedir. Elektrik çarpması sonucu meydana gelen yaralanmaların adli-tıbbi değerlendirmesi için daha objektif, sınırları daha geniş ve belirgin ölçütlerin kılavuzda yer alması gerektiği kanaatindeyiz.

Postelectrocution Massive Brain Infarcts

AbstractAcute brain infarct is an uncommon complication of electrical injury, and only a few cases have been reported. A young man sustained a high-voltage electrical injury followed by a fall from height. Imaging revealed right hemibrain infarct. He was operated for that, but did not make much progress. Electric shock injury with the high-voltage current even for short period of contact may cause massive infarction of brain, and prognosis remains dismal.

American Kestrel Surviving with Electric Shock Injuries

American Kestrel Surviving with Electric Shock Injuries

Bilateral Electric Shock Induced Cataract

Electric shock injury may cause various ocular complications. The severity of the complications depends on the voltage and site of passage of electric shock. The probability of ocular involvement rises more if the injury occurs at the scalp or face. Electric shock induced cataract is usually bilateral. The exact pathogenesis of cataract development is unknown. Direct coagulation of lens proteins and the osmotic changes following damage to the subcapsular epithelium are thought to be responsible. Other ocular complications like conjunctival hyperemia, interstitial corneal opacities, uveitis, miosis, spasm of accommodation etc may occur. Some rare complications like optic nerve coagulation, necrosis of retina, choroid and optic atrophy have been reported. Macular oedema may lead to the development of macular cysts or holes. Paresis of extraocular muscles have been frequently observed.

Accidental electric shock injuries around the shoulder joint: A case report of two patients

Fracture-dislocations of the shoulder are grave injuries. These injuries rarely are caused by electrocution injuries. The diagnosis of these injuries is tricky. Missed diagnosis of these injuries is common due to inadequate radiological examination. We report two cases of fracture-dislocation of the shoulder following accidental electrocution injuries. Our case report includes two patients who injured their shoulder joints after suffering accidental electric shock injuries. Our first patient was an 80-year-old female who suffered an anterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulder and second patient was a 28-year-old male who suffered a posterior fracture-dislocation. Both the patients were treated by osteosynthesis using the deltopectoral approach. Our patients had a good function of their shoulders at the end of 1-year follow-up. Fracture-dislocations of the shoulder pose a significant diagnostic threat and are often missed due to inadequate radiographs. These injuries can be successfully treated by early diagnosis and anatomical fixation of the fracture. Avascular necrosis of the head of the humerus is the significant complication to these injuries.

Temperature-dependent conformational dynamics of cytochrome c: Implications in apoptosis

Heat, electric shock, and burn injuries induce apoptosis by releasing cytochrome c (cyt-c) from mitochondria and by subsequently activating the death protease, caspases-3. During apoptosis, cyt-c undergoes changes in the secondary structure that have been suggested to increase its peroxidase activity. Information about these structural changes will provide better understanding of the apoptotic mechanism. Hence, temperature-dependent conformational dynamics of cyt-c has been investigated through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explain the structural changes and to correlate them with its apoptotic behavior. We observe that, at lower temperatures (223, 248, and 300K), the secondary structure of cyt-c, remains stable, while at higher temperatures (323, 373, 423, and 473K), the secondary structural regions change significantly. Further, our MD results indicate that these structural changes are mainly localized on α-helices, turns, β-sheets, and important loops that were involved in the stabilization of the heme conformation. This conformational transition between specific regions of secondary structure of cyt-c directly affects the electron tunneling properties of the proteins as observed experimentally. We quantify and compare these changes and explain that the temperature plays a vital role in assuring the structural stability of cyt-c and thus its functions. Our findings from this MD study reproduce experimental results at high temperatures and provide evidence for the alteration of the heme through the disruption of the H-bonding interactions between specific regions of cyt-c, thereby enhancing its peroxidase activity which plays a crucial role in the apoptotic process.

A damage in the macular area nerve sensory layer after a high-voltage electrical shock injury: a case report

A damage in the macular area nerve sensory layer after a high-voltage electrical shock injury: a case report

Addressing neurodynamic irritability in a patient with adhesive capsulitis: a case report

Background: Patients with adhesive capsulitis are commonly seen by physical therapists. Pain and limited shoulder motion from adhesive capsulitis have at times been linked to neural irritation. The purpose of this case is to describe the examination and intervention of a patient with adhesive capsulitis who appeared to have a coexisting, underlying neural irritation. This paper emphasizes how the neurological component must initially be identified and addressed for a successful outcome.Case description:: A 47-year-old female presented with reduced shoulder motion and function, upper extremity neural irritation, diffuse weakness, altered sensation in the involved extremity, and symptoms reproduced with upper limb neurodynamic testing. Her reduced shoulder range of motion was accompanied by limited glenohumeral glides and a report of local neck stiffness. Symptoms began several months earlier after an apparent electrical shock injury to the arm that caused symptoms and guarding of the shoulder. Intervention initially addressed the underlying neural component with spinal mobilizations while avoiding further irritation. Interventions were progressed to include mobilization and exercise to address shoulder mobility.Outcomes:: The patient’s neurodynamic irritability, distal symptoms, and neck stiffness were normalized within the first weeks of care. Subsequently, interventions were directed at the shoulder. Outcomes over an 12-week time frame included reduced pain from 10/10 to 2/10. Passive range of motion increases included flexion from 121 to 160°, abduction from 71 to 121°, and external rotation from 18 to 60°. Disability scores on Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) dropped from initially 68·3 to 18·3% at discharge. She ultimately regained full upper extremity function.Discussion:: Therapists should be cognizant of possible neural irritation in shoulder disorders, which may contribute to conditions such as adhesive capsulitis. Identifying neural irritation is critical when determining which interventions will achieve optimal outcomes without aggravating the condition.

Healing burns using atmospheric pressure plasma irradiation

An experiment testing the effects of plasma irradiation with an atmospheric-pressure plasma (APP) reactor on rats given burns showed no evidence of electric shock injuries upon pathology inspection of the irradiated skin surface. In fact, the observed evidence of healing and improvement of the burns suggested healing effects from plasma irradiation. The quantities of neovascular vessels in the living tissues at 7 days were 9.2 ± 0.77 mm−2 without treatment and 18.4 ± 2.9 mm−2 after plasma irradiation.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following electrical shock injury.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following electrical shock injury.

Prevention Is Better Than a Cure: Electric Shock Injuries from Static Electricity Discharges

Most people are aware of electrostatic discharges at two extremes: 1) the annoying shock from static accumulation from sliding across an automobile seat or shuffling across a carpet and 2) the highly dangerous and destructive energy discharge in lightning strikes. Between these two extremes are the static discharges from manufacturing operations that can cause shock injuries. Hazards of static electricity in industrial and manufacturing operations are generally viewed as a potential ignition source in flammable and explosive environments, or destructive to semiconductor electronic devices, but not as a source for shock injury, Measures to control the static electricity shock hazard and safeguard people are not addressed in the most visible and applied standards addressing electrical safety in the workplace. This article describes manufacturing and other industrial scenarios in which the potential for injury from static electricity discharges exist and discusses methods to prevent, control, and protect personnel from injury.

Better evaluation of electric shock injuries

Better evaluation of electric shock injuries

Fat Liquefaction of Adipose Tissue Using Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Irradiation

The liquefaction of fat in adipose tissue for potential medical applications was achieved by direct irradiation using an atmospheric-pressure plasma source and a catheter-type apparatus. When fat was irradiated with plasma generated from a catheter tip, it was liquefied through ozonolysis, although little production and diffusion of ozone originating from the collision/ionization of gas molecules was observed in preliminary experiments. Furthermore, surface damage to fat cells, such as thermal carbonization or electric shock injuries, was not observed.

Catastrophic Globe Disruption as a Result of a TASER Injury

BackgroundInjuries caused by the TASER® (TASER International, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ) have been well documented, and both direct and indirect ocular injuries have been reported. We present a case of severe perforating injury to the globe from a TASER dart with central cornea penetration. ObjectivesTo describe the presentation and management of a penetrating ocular injury from a TASER dart. Case ReportA 47-year-old woman presented with a TASER dart injury penetrating through the central cornea. The injury resulted in a stellate corneal laceration, which was repaired with a final visual acuity of light perception without projection. ConclusionThis is a case of a severe TASER-related ocular injury resulting in significant vision loss. Although mechanical trauma seemed to be the main etiology for vision loss, electrical shock injury may also be contributory. Direct injury to the eye from a TASER dart is similar to other perforating projectile injuries and can have a devastating visual outcome.

ELECTRICAL INJURY INDUCED BILATERAL PERIPAPILLARY MERIDIONAL RETINA-CHOROIDAL ATROPHY: A Case Report.

To illustrate the clinical findings in a patient who experienced an electrical shock injury. Observational case report. A 54-year-old man who experienced an electrical shock injury was followed up with fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography. Visual acuity, electroretinography, and visual field were also performed. The visual acuity of the right eye was 20/25 and the left eye was 20/20. Bilateral meridional atrophy areas were found around the optic nerve in fundus color images. Axial symmetrical meridional atrophies around the optic disk in both eyes were found in the patient's fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography images. Atrophy of bilateral retina and choroid can be found on fundus autofluorescence, fundus fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography in this electrical current-injured case, which looks like meridional direction from superior temporal to inferior nasal through optic disk. We report a rare case of bilateral peripapillary meridional retina-choroidal atrophy after electrical injury. Because of the variable timing and spectrum of ocular findings, patients experiencing electrical injury without profound vision loss should undergo long observation.

Femoral neck fracture after electrical shock injury

A case of femoral neck fracture is reported after electrical shock injury with 300 V direct current in a 41-year old male. He had two small full thickness burns on his left heel, probably the exit wounds. A fracture after electrical shock due to musculoskeletal contractions is a very rare condition. Surgeons caring for patients with electrical injury should be aware of the possibility of skeletal injuries. Without vigilance for these injuries, delay in diagnosis may occur.

Transient quadriparesis after electric shock in a child: case report

Electric shock injuries are commonly encountered by emergency physicians. Various systemic complications owing to electric shock injury have been described. It is important to maintain raised awareness of these different complications to ensure that they are recognised and treated early. We describe a rare case of transient quadriparesis following electric shock in a 10-year-old boy.