Analysis of a Consecutive Retrospective Cohort of Strangulation Victims Evaluated by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Consult Service.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review the evaluation of strangulation victims assessed by a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) service. The primary objective was to produce observational results on documented injury frequency and secondarily to explore advanced imaging use, outcomes, signs/symptoms, and documentation.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 130 consecutive strangled patients over a 42-month period evaluated by a SANE consult service in a metropolitan area. A single investigator extracted medical records for demographics, history, imaging, injuries, disposition, and both presence and documentation of a number of signs/symptoms. A second investigator independently extracted greater than 30% of the total charts with universal agreement. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Patients were primarily female (129:1) and their age averaged 30.6 years. Time from event to presentation varied. There were no major brain or neck injuries detected (0%; 95 confidence interval, 0-2.31), and all patients were discharged in stable condition. Imaging was used in 23 patients (17.7%). Certain signs and symptoms were more common than others, and documentation frequency of signs and symptoms varied.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective cohort of 130 consecutive nonfatally strangled awake patients seen as SANE consults in a single emergency department, there were no major injuries documented. The most common signs or symptoms were neck pain, neck markings, and loss of consciousness. Imaging was used in 17.7% of the patients. Presence or absence of neck pain, neck markings, and altered mental status were most consistently documented. Seizure, subcutaneous emphysema, and carotid bruit were least consistently documented.