Rare occurrence of leucoencephalopathy following electric shock injury
Electric discharge trauma (EDT), often resulting from lightning strikes or electrical injuries, can lead to significant neurological complications. A recent case study sheds light on the potential mechanisms and manifestations of these complications, particularly in the central nervous system.
## Common Neurological Complications
The case involved a previously healthy adult patient who suffered an electric burn injury after direct contact with a high voltage cable. The patient, a 37-year-old male working for an electricity company, experienced a range of neurological complications.
Post Electric Shock Syndrome (PESS) was evident in the patient, presenting as depression, anxiety, emotional distress, and changes in temperament. The symptoms resembled those of traumatic brain injury, including problems with attention, memory, and coordination. Cognitive dysfunction, impaired cognitive function, difficulty with problem-solving, and behavioral changes were also observed.
Long-term effects included delayed neuropsychological symptoms, such as irritability, frustration, and feelings of worthlessness.
## Potential Mechanisms
The electric current passing through the body can cause significant damage to tissues, including the nervous system. The pathway of the current can lead to variable degrees of injury, depending on the intensity and duration of exposure. High-voltage electrical injuries often result in significant thermal burns due to the resistance of body tissues to the electrical current, which can lead to indirect neural damage due to tissue necrosis.
Electrical injuries can also disrupt normal physiological processes, leading to electrolyte imbalances and other biochemical changes that affect neural function.
## Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches
A physical examination is essential for assessing the extent of physical damage and identifying neurological symptoms. Neuroimaging, such as MRI scans, is used to evaluate brain injury extent. Neuropsychological testing is necessary for assessing cognitive and emotional impacts.
Therapeutic interventions include cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, neuropsychological treatment, and rehabilitation.
In this case, the patient had 2 episodes of ventricular fibrillation and received high-quality pulmonary resuscitation. The brain leukoencephalopathy had a delayed image presentation in MRI as an early complication. Nine days after the initial event, the patient showed flaccid tetraplegia with preservation of brainstem reflexes, and a new BMR revealed diffuse and symmetric restricted diffusion of the subcortical, periventricular white matter, involving the corpus callosum and Putamina.
## Implications
The understanding of the mechanisms of electric injury can help in characterizing and managing the pathology and its complications. This case study focuses on the manifestations of electric injury in the central nervous system, providing valuable insights into the complex nature of EDT and its potential consequences.
Given the heterogeneous presentations and consequences of electric injuries, further research is needed to develop effective strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. As electric injuries are commonly encountered in young male adults with occupational exposure, it is crucial to raise awareness about the risks and potential complications associated with these injuries.
- The case study underlines the potential medical-conditions and health-and-wellness implications of electric discharge trauma (EDT) in the central nervous system, specifically citing neurological disorders such as post-electric shock syndrome (PESS), cognitive dysfunction, and brain leukoencephalopathy.
- Further exploration into the mechanisms of electric injury is essential to fully comprehend the complex neurological-disorders that can arise from EDT, with the ultimate goal of developing effective strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly for individuals with occupational exposure at high risk.
