Novel aortic lesions in hanging deaths.

Abstract

In response to a recent case report published in the International Journal of Legal Medicine entitled "A case of hemorrhage at the junctions of the posterior intercostal arteries-a vital sign?", we wish to corroborate the findings of periadventitial hemorrhages at the junctions of the posterior intercostal arteries in cases of suicidal hanging and to reveal two other novel aortic lesions associated with hanging. In our ongoing prospective study, we identified six cases of aortic intimal ruptures among 257 suicidal hanging deaths, along with the novel observation of subintimal hemorrhages-both of which have not been previously documented in the forensic literature. Our findings suggest that the complex anatomy of the aorta and surrounding structures may increase the vulnerability of vascular structures during hanging, particularly under conditions of complete suspension. We propose that reported aortic lesions may serve as significant morphological indicators of hanging, thereby enriching its medicolegal investigation. To establish the diagnostic relevance of these findings, further prospective autopsy studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.