International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine

Abstract

Background: Male external genitalia comprising penis and scrotum though exposed externally, being a mobile anatomical structure are less prone to injuries during a vehicular accident. Injuries are reported usually during sports activities, violent sexual acts and sometimes vehicular accidents. Injuries to scrotum, penis or adjoining structures may lead to temporary or permanent impotence or infertility or both.

Case Report: A 53 years old male sustained injuries as a result of accident with a car while he was walking along the roadside. He was brought immediately to a tertiary care hospital and was treated by a quick response team of doctors in emergency department. Despite of all resuscitative measures by expert doctors, he could not be revived. Autopsy revealed enlarged bluish red colored scrotum with loss of rugosities associated with multiple other injuries. On dissection of scrotum, it was showing a dark red colored hematoma covering whole scrotum. Most frequently, hematoma covering whole scrotum is due to rupture of tunica albuginea, with tunica vaginalis pooling to the epididymis. Death in this case was attributed to scrotal injury.

Conclusion: Even though blunt trauma is the commonest mechanism causing about 85% of scrotal trauma, it is often missed on routine autopsy procedure. At least in cases of instantaneous death following a vehicular accident, scrotum must be properly examined.