Gender-Based Violence Causing Severe Multiple Injuries; a Case Report

• Main Author: Adalard Falschung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2018-04-01
• Series: Advanced Journal of Emergency Medicine
• Subjects: Advanced trauma life support care; Gender-based violence; Intimate partner violence
• Online Access: http://ajem.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ajem/article/view/80

Introduction: Gender-based violence (GBV) against women has been identified as a global health and development issue. We reported a case of GBV causing sever, multiple injuries in a middle-aged female. Case report: A 47-year-old woman presented to emergency room with disturbed level of consciousness, shortness of breath and multiple patches of skin discoloration. On examination, the patient was semi-conscious, with multiple ecchymosis and bilateral decreased air entry. Computed tomography scan of the neck and chest showed six rib fractures on the left side, and eight rib fractures on the right side, sternal fracture, manubriosternal dislocation, bilateral hemothorax, fracture of body of eleventh thoracic vertebra, and fracture of cervical spine of fifth and seventh vertebrae. The patient was intubated and admitted to intensive care unit. She was discharged with good health condition after 23 days of hospital admission. Conclusion: GBV is still a cause of severe trauma that puts the patient’s life at risk.