This paper explores the pathology caused by lightning. It covers the basic physics and mechanisms of injury of lightning strikes followed by a short discussion. The purpose of this paper is to suggest an approach to the investigation and autopsy of a lightning-related death.
CritchleyM.The effects of lightning: with special reference to the nervous system.Bristol Med Chir J (1883).1932 Winter; 49(186): 285–300. PMID: 28897710. PMCID: PMC5058286.
2.
CritchelyM.Neurological effects of lightning and of electricity.Lancet.1934 Jan 13; 223(5759): 68–72.
3.
JumbelicM.I.Forensic perspectives of electrical and lightning injuries.Semin Neurol.1995 Dec; 15(4): 342–50. PMID: 8848651. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1041042.
4.
UmanM.A.Lightning.New York: McGraw-Hill; c1969. Chapter 1, Introduction to lightning; p. 1–13.
5.
RakovV.A., UmanM.A.Lightning: physics and effects.New York: Cambridge University Press; c2003: Chapter 11, Thunder; p. 378, 387.
6.
RakovV.A.Fundamentals of lightning.Cambridge (UK): Cambridge University Press; 2016. 257 p.
7.
MediciG., CumminsaK.L., CecilD.J.The intracloud lightning fraction in the contiguous United States.Mon Weather Rev.2017 Nov; 145(11): 4481–99. https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-16-0426.1.
8.
CooperM.A., AndrewsC.J., HolleR.A.Auerbach's wilderness medicine textbook.7th ed.Elsevier Health Sciences; c2016. Chapter 5, Lightning-related injuries and safety; p. 71–117.
DavisN.L., WetliC.V., ShakinJ.L.The retina in forensic medicine: applications of ophthalmic endoscopy: the first 100 cases.Am J Forensic Med Pathol.2006 Mar; 27(1): 1–10. PMID: 16501341. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.paf.0000201102.03778.65.
AltalhiA., Al-ManeaW., AlqweaiN., AlothmanM.Cardiac rhythm recorded by implanted loop recorder during lightning strike.Ann Saudi Med.2017 Sep-Oct; 37(5): 401–2. PMID: 28988255. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2017.401.
25.
EmetM., CanerI., CakirM.Lightning injury may cause abrupt cerebral salt wasting syndrome.Am J Emerg Med.2010 Jun; 28(5): 640.e1–3. PMID: 20579567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2009.07.010.
26.
ReisnerA.D.A case of lightning injury with delayed-onset psychiatric and cognitive symptoms.Brain Inj.2006 Sep; 20(10): 1093–7. PMID: 17060143. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699050600832007.
27.
AndrewsC.J., ReisnerA.D., CooperM.A.Post electrical or lightning injury syndrome: a proposal for an American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual formulation with implications for treatment.Neural Regen Res.2017 Sep; 12(9): 1405–12. PMID: 29089977. PMCID: PMC5649452. https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.215242.
ModayilP.C., LloydG.W., MallikA., BowdlerD.A.Inner ear damage following electric current and lightning injury: a literature review.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.2014 May; 271(5): 855–61. PMID: 23649510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2544-7.
34.
BellucciR.J.Traumatic injuries of the middle ear.Otolaryngol Clin North Am.1983 Aug; 16(3): 633–50. PMID: 6634185.
35.
GordonM.A., SilversteinH., WillcoxT.O., RosenbergS.I.Lightning injury of the tympanic membrane.Am J Otol.1995 May; 16(3): 373–6. PMID: 8588633.
KristensenS., TveteråsK.Lightning-induced acoustic rupture of the tympanic membrane: (a report of two cases).J Laryngol Otol.1985 Jul; 99(7): 711–3. PMID: 4020264. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022215100097528.