NCJ Number
140943
Journal
Japanese Journal of Legal Medicine Volume: 46 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1992) Pages: 321-326
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An autopsy of a 43-year-old man who suffered from ankylosing spondylitis and was involved in a fight when his blood and urine alcohol levels were 2.95 and 3.84 mg/ml, respectively, revealed that he fractured his cervical spine when he fell to the street. Cause of death was paralysis of respiration.
Abstract
The postmortem examination showed abrasions and subcutaneous hemorrhages on the lower jaw and face, where he received direct blows. A transverse fracture was evident through the intervertebral disc space between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. The cervical spinal cord was completely ruptured at the point of fracture. There was also ossification of the supporting ligaments and anterior surface of discs. As a result of the ankylosing spondylitis, the patient's neck had no mobility; the blows he received caused hyperextension of the neck and the cervical fracture. 7 figures and 31 references