Fracture-dislocation of cervical vertebra in a case of accidental strangulation by Chunni: A case report

Abstract

Accidental ligature strangulation in adults though uncommon, is occasionally reported amongst agricultural workers working adjacent to machinery and circumstantial evidence alone sufficiently indicates the accidental nature of the occurrence. While it is recognized that fracture and dislocation of the cervical vertebra are seen in judicial hanging or hanging associated with a long drop, it is not routinely reported in ligature strangulation. In the present case, a 48 year-old female was accidentally strangled while she was working in the field by the side of a crop thrasher when her chunni accidentally got stuck (from behind) in the thrasher belt, pulling her towards it by the neck thereby strangling her. She became unconscious & while being brought to the hospital, she expired on the way. The autopsy revealed fracture and dislocation of the 5th cervical vertebra with extensive bruising of the deep muscles of the neck and fracture of greater horn of hyoid bone apart from the ligature mark around the neck. Fracture and dislocation of the cervical vertebra in accidental ligature strangulation by chunni is a rare occurrence and not reported routinely in cases of accidental strangulation.