ABSTRACT
Images 3-11 and 3-12 Artifactual epidural hematomas content of brain parenchyma begins to boil. This pressure change, combined with increased fragility of heated skeletal tissues, results in fissure fractures across the surface of the cranium (Image 3-11). In Image 3-12, note the layer of friable, caked brown blood that coats the dura of both cerebral hemispheres. The artifactual epidural hemorrhage is commonly caused by oozing of heated bone marrow onto the superior surfaces of the brain, through the previously mentioned skull fractures. However, in charred bodies, artifactual epidural hematomas can also occur in the absence of heat-related skull fractures. Do not confuse artifactual epidural hematomas and skull fractures in charred bodies with genuine injury!
