Histopathological Study of Carotid Arteries in Deaths Due to Hanging

We studied the influence of various parameters on carotid artery in cases of deaths due to hanging. In 60 hanging deaths autopsied, the various details were gathered, analyzed and interpreted. Histopathology examination revealed the incidence of carotid artery injury to be 47 % (28 cases). Out of these maximum cases (17%) showed disruption of intimal layer from medial layer followed by 15 % cases intimal tear, 8 % cases perivascular congestion and 7 % cases subintimal haemorrhages. We concluded that age, type of hanging, position of knot and ligature materials were the parameters which influence carotid artery injury.