The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the Literature
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, frequently resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, and spinal injuries. This manuscript examines the forensic aspects of head trauma caused by RTAs, focusing on the role of autopsy and imag...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/4/442 |
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| author | Matteo Antonio Sacco Maria Cristina Verrina Roberto Raffaele Saverio Gualtieri Alessandro Pasquale Tarallo Santo Gratteri Isabella Aquila |
| author_facet | Matteo Antonio Sacco Maria Cristina Verrina Roberto Raffaele Saverio Gualtieri Alessandro Pasquale Tarallo Santo Gratteri Isabella Aquila |
| author_sort | Matteo Antonio Sacco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, frequently resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, and spinal injuries. This manuscript examines the forensic aspects of head trauma caused by RTAs, focusing on the role of autopsy and imaging in diagnosing and characterizing injuries. Through a systematic review of the literature, the study highlights the mechanisms of injury, including high-speed collisions, whiplash, and pedestrian impacts, and explores their pathological consequences, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, and diffuse axonal injury. The differentiation between traumatic and non-traumatic conditions, such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, is emphasized to ensure accurate clinical and forensic assessments. Advances in imaging technologies, particularly virtopsy, are discussed for their potential in non-invasive documentation and analysis of head injuries, while limitations of this approach are acknowledged. Furthermore, the manuscript underscores the importance of preventive measures, including helmet and seatbelt use, vehicle safety innovations, and improved road design, in reducing the incidence and severity of RTAs. By integrating clinical, forensic, and preventive perspectives, this study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing the burden of head trauma related to RTAs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-59efd0672a3f4185a08b4d110de8bc64 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-59efd0672a3f4185a08b4d110de8bc642025-08-20T02:44:35ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-02-0115444210.3390/diagnostics15040442The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the LiteratureMatteo Antonio Sacco0Maria Cristina Verrina1Roberto Raffaele2Saverio Gualtieri3Alessandro Pasquale Tarallo4Santo Gratteri5Isabella Aquila6Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInstitute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInstitute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInstitute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInstitute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInstitute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInstitute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyRoad traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, frequently resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, and spinal injuries. This manuscript examines the forensic aspects of head trauma caused by RTAs, focusing on the role of autopsy and imaging in diagnosing and characterizing injuries. Through a systematic review of the literature, the study highlights the mechanisms of injury, including high-speed collisions, whiplash, and pedestrian impacts, and explores their pathological consequences, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, and diffuse axonal injury. The differentiation between traumatic and non-traumatic conditions, such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, is emphasized to ensure accurate clinical and forensic assessments. Advances in imaging technologies, particularly virtopsy, are discussed for their potential in non-invasive documentation and analysis of head injuries, while limitations of this approach are acknowledged. Furthermore, the manuscript underscores the importance of preventive measures, including helmet and seatbelt use, vehicle safety innovations, and improved road design, in reducing the incidence and severity of RTAs. By integrating clinical, forensic, and preventive perspectives, this study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing the burden of head trauma related to RTAs.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/4/442head injuryroad traffic accidentsautopsy |
| spellingShingle | Matteo Antonio Sacco Maria Cristina Verrina Roberto Raffaele Saverio Gualtieri Alessandro Pasquale Tarallo Santo Gratteri Isabella Aquila The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the Literature Diagnostics head injury road traffic accidents autopsy |
| title | The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the Literature |
| title_full | The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the Literature |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the Literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the Literature |
| title_short | The Role of Autopsy in the Forensic and Clinical Evaluation of Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury in Road Traffic Accidents: A Review of the Literature |
| title_sort | role of autopsy in the forensic and clinical evaluation of head trauma and traumatic brain injury in road traffic accidents a review of the literature |
| topic | head injury road traffic accidents autopsy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/4/442 |
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