MORPHO-HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BRUISES WITH DIFFERENT AGE - quantitative study

Authors

  • Irena Kostadinova Petrova Institute of Medical Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Elida Mitevska Institute of Medical Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Lena Kakasheva Mazhenkoska Institute of Medical Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Biljana Janeska Institute of Forensic Medicine and Criminology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

Keywords:

age of bruises, histological characteristics, microscopic analysis

Abstract

Bruises as common skin lesions are important in forensic expert reports in determining the time of death in many cases of domestic violence or child abuse. The aim of this study was to present the differences between bruises with different time of origin by evaluation of their histological characteristics.

The study included 60 human skin samples divided into control and experimental groups A, B, C, D. Group A included skin samples with < 1day old bruises, group B included skin samples with 1-3 days old bruises, group C included skin samples with 3-7 days old bruises, and group D included skin samples with 7-14 days old bruises. Paraffin sections of the skin stained with Hematoxylin-eosin, Giemsa, Perl’s Prussian Blue and Masson-Goldner methods were evaluated by light microscopy and photodocumented,using stereological method for cell count and photodocumented.

Histological analysis in group A showed presence of dilated fibrous septa in dermis and hypodermis with extravasated erythrocytes and intense infiltration with neutrophils. In group B there was initial infiltration by macrophages. Group C also showed presence of macrophages, but it was significantly more expressed than in group B (p<0.001). Group D showed a significant presence of macrophages when compared to groups B and C (p<0.001).

Infiltration with neutrophils occurred shortly after the initiation of the bruise, while after few days of initiation, usually 1-3, there was macrophage infiltration. Presence of macrophages significantly increased as bruises age. These histological characteristics speak in favor of healing the bruises.

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Published

2022-12-20

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2022): Acad Med J

Section

Original Articles