Lichtenberg figures are pathognomonic markings commonly described as transient pink-red fractal pattern marks on the skin of people struck by a lightning. Their nature and the underlying physiopathology are still largely unknown. Here we describe a Lichtenberg figure in a 45-year-old woman who died due to a lightning strike during a thunderstorm. On autopsy, five days after the fatal event, she presented atypical green Lichtenberg figures on the skin of her abdomen. This appearance has not previously been described in the scientific literature, so a review of literature was done to support our observation.

Unusual Lichtenberg figures in a lightning strike’s victim: Case report and literature review

Dario Raniero
;
Andrea Uberti;Giovanna Del Balzo;Elisa Vermiglio;Alessia Farinelli;Stefania Turrina;Domenico De Leo
2022-01-01

Abstract

Lichtenberg figures are pathognomonic markings commonly described as transient pink-red fractal pattern marks on the skin of people struck by a lightning. Their nature and the underlying physiopathology are still largely unknown. Here we describe a Lichtenberg figure in a 45-year-old woman who died due to a lightning strike during a thunderstorm. On autopsy, five days after the fatal event, she presented atypical green Lichtenberg figures on the skin of her abdomen. This appearance has not previously been described in the scientific literature, so a review of literature was done to support our observation.
2022
Lichtenberg figures
Lightning
Keraunopathology
Electrical marks
Natural electrical energy
Forensic pathology
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1059675
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