Death due to head trauma occurred during kick boxing: Case report

Abstract

Kick boxing is a martial sport which allows punching, kicking and with some special rules using knee and elbow. International Kick Boxing Federation estimates that approximately one million people are kick boxing worldwide. In this paper, a death resulted from the blows to head is presented. A 24-year-old male was deteriorated during a kick boxing match and he was hospitalized urgently. On computerized brain tomography, right frontoparietal acute subdural hematoma was diagnosed and hematoma drainage was performed. At autopsy, it was concluded that death was due to intracranial hemorrhage and brain tissue damage caused by blunt head trauma. Martial arts like kick boxing may result in fatal injuries. Protective helmet has to be worn during matches. Sportsmen should be followed by physicians who work in the hall during a match, and if a dangerous situation at the vital point is detected, the match must be terminated immediately. © 2013 by Türkiye Klinikleri.