[The traumatic subarachnoidal hemorrhage (author's transl)].

In general forensic neurotraumatologic experience blunt head traumas can cause a lethal basal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Twenty-seven published cases of traumatic ruptures with either sufficiently described or histologically proven origin from an other wise "healthy" basal artery system were collected and four new observations were added. In 16 cases detachments and lacerations of arteries in the region of branchings from the Circulus Willisii were described: overstretching ruptures. In eight cases longitudinal ruptures free from branchings were found: bursting ruptures. In the four new cases these 4-5 mm long ruptures were situated beside the branching of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery., The predominant number of traumas arose from fights under alcoholic influence, which could be classified as minor traumata. Generally only bruises and abrasions in the face were described, furthermore fractures of skull and jaw in three cass and an injury of the cervical vertebral column once. This histological proof of the origin of subarachnoidal hemorrhages can be helpful for an exact answer to legal questions.