Abstract
Lightning-related fatalities and hospitalizations are likely underestimated. Lightning injuries occur most commonly in young males who are involved in work or recreational activities outdoors. We report a case of near miss lightning strike in an Italian boy hit during sport activity.
Case Report
A 12-years-old male, during an outdoor soccer training session, was struck directly by lightning, causing electrocution. Just by chance, close circuit video surveillance camera took the images of the striking, which are presented. The child suffered cardiac arrest. Prompt rescue measures by his coach included immediate start of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. On admission to the hospital emergency room, he was in coma (Glasgow Coma Scale score 4). The lightning hit was evident with two secondthird degree burns on the medial surface of the distal third of the left leg and the submalleolar region of the left foot. The patient was put on continuous infusion with midazolam (0.2 mg/kg/h) and remifentanil (0.10 mcg/kg/min) (RASS -4, BPS 3). On day 2, gradually awakening and respiratory weaning were carried out until extubation on day 2. The burn was treated conservatively. On day 7, the boy could be discharged. Five months later, the boy is doing fine with no sequelae. In this unusual case of video evidence of a direct lightning hit, the boy was probably rescued by the presence of a professional rescuer, which turned the event into a near miss with favorable outcome.