Citation

Musshoff F, Schmidt P, Madea B, Pohl C. Arch. Kriminol. 2000; 205(1-2): 37-43.

Vernacular Title

Ein ungewohnlicher Fall von Selbstbeschadigung mit Waschbenzin.

Affiliation

Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Bonn.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Verlag Schmidt-Romhild)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10726174

Abstract

After surgical treatment of an inguinal hernia, a 26-year-old male was discharged from hospital with a well healing surgical wound. Four weeks later he was admitted again with a major localized painful swelling of the soft tissues, whereas the clinical examination revealed no further local or systemic signs of inflammation. The immediate operation disclosed no abscess formation, but a large colliquation necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue with an outstanding petroleum-like odour. On toxicological examination of the necrotic tissue, a respective petroleum distillate was found. The patient was confronted with the suspicion of having injected the petroleum preparation himself to prolong the wound healing and finally admitted the self-mutilating behaviour. The pathophysiology, clinical history and morphological findings are discussed in comparison with case reports of chemically induced self-mutilation.

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