Haemorrhage in Middle Ear and Mastoid Air Cells (Temporal bone) in  Drowning cases- an Autopsy based Cross-sectional study

B U Suthar; Shiwangi Bhushan; S G Momin; D S Patel

doi:10.48165/jfmt.2025.42.3.9

Abstract

Drowning is a form of asphyxia due to aspiration of fluid into air-passages, caused by submersion in water or other fluid. Complete submersion is not necessary, for submer sion of the nose and mouth alone for a sufficient period can cause death from drowning.1 Hemorrhage in the middle ear (barotrauma) is a recognized result of drowning. The middle ear is a narrow air-filled space in the petrous part of the temporal bone between the external ear and the as seen in 65% of cases, out of which it was bilateral in 27% of cases, only right side in 22% of cases, and only left side in 16% of cases. Hemorrhage in mastoid air cells was seen in 57% of cases, out of which it was bilateral in 14% of cases, only the right side in 22% of cases, and only the left side in 21% of cases. Middle ear hemorrhage in drowning cases aids forensic pathologists in determining cause of death, distinguishing drowning from other causes and providing insights into water asphyxiation mechanisms.

KeywordsAsphyxiaAutopsyDrowningHemorrhageMastoid air cellMiddle ear

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