Clinical case of lightning injury

Abstract

Atmospheric electricity damage as a result of lightning strike is a relatively rare condition in intensive care medicine, however it can be accompanied by high mortality and serious complications in the majority of survived patients.The objective was to demonstrate a clinical case of lightning injury and discussion of diagnostic and treatment aspects in this condition.Materials and Methods. 18-yr old patient was delivered to hospital after lightning strike. She lost consciousness, there was no breathing for a short time, and the witnesses provided artificial respiration and external cardiac compressions. On admission, the signs of shock were present in parallel with dopamine infusion, the skin was pale-grey and cold, with traces of thermal damage according to the type of contact with metal of various localization on the neck, scalp, front surface of the chest and abdominal wall, in the groin, on the left foot. The patient was hospitalized to ICU, therapeutic and diagnostic measures were started. We revealed decompensated lactic acidosis, biochemical signs of myocardial and muscle damage. The infusion therapy, analgesics, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, anticoagulants were administered. During the therapy in the first 6 hours, the signs of shock were attenuated, in 4 days, the patient was transferred to traumatological department in a stable state. After the transfer from the ICU, hearing decline as well as pain and sensory disturbances in the left foot are persisting.Conclusion. An integrated approach is required in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with lightning injury.

Keywords

• lightning injury
• lightning strike
• intensive care