Clinical and forensic signs related to chemical burns: a mechanistic approach.

Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira, Félix Carvalho, Roxana Moreira, Jorge Brandão Proença, Agostinho Santos, José Alberto Duarte, Maria de Lourdes Bastos, Teresa Magalhães

Journal: Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries 2016;41(4):658-79

PMID: 25280586

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

This manuscript highlights and critically analyses clinical and forensic signs related to chemical burns. Signs that may lead to suspicion of a particular chemical are thoroughly discussed regarding its underlying mechanisms. Burns due to sulfuric, hydrofluoric, nitric, hydrochloric (muriatic) and acetic (including derivatives) acids, hydrogen sulphide, sodium (caustic soda) and calcium (cement) hydroxides, paraquat, burns after inflation and rupture of airbags, povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine/alcohol (in preterm infants), laxatives, and vesicants (warfare agents), will be reviewed since these are the most common agents found in daily practice, for which relevant and timed information may be helpful in formulating an emergency treatment protocols and toxicological analysis.

Address: Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; IINFACTS - Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Department of Sciences, Advanced Institute of Health Sciences - North (ISCS-N), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal; REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Center of Forensic Sciences (CENCIFOR), Portugal; CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: [email protected].; REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.; IINFACTS - Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Department of Sciences, Advanced Institute of Health Sciences - North (ISCS-N), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal; CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; IINFACTS - Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Department of Sciences, Advanced Institute of Health Sciences - North (ISCS-N), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal.; Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Center of Forensic Sciences (CENCIFOR), Portugal; National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, North Branch, I.P., Portugal.; CIAFEL, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2014.09.002

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MeSH Terms: Acetic Acid, Acids, Air Bags, Air Pollutants, Anti-Infective Agents, Local, Bone Cements, Burns, Chemical, Calcium Hydroxide, Caustics, Chemical Warfare Agents, Chlorhexidine, Explosive Agents, Forensic Medicine, Herbicides, Humans, Hydrochloric Acid, Hydrogen Sulfide, Irritants, Laxatives, Nitric Acid, Paraquat, Povidone-Iodine, Sodium Hydroxide