Elevated Skull Fracture in a 15-Year-Old Following Bicycle Fall: A Rare Autopsy Case Report

Authors

  • Kuntal Banerjee Junior Resident (PGT) Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College. Darjeeling, West Bengal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3537-4590
  • Dibyakar Chettri Demonstrator, Department of Forensic Medicine. North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal
  • Rajib Prasad Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal
  • Partha Sarathi Bhartacharyya Assistant Professor Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College. Darjeeling, West Bengal
  • Rumi Maitra Demonstrator, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal
  • Dinesh Ram 2nd Year PGT Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal,
  • Thahsin Ist, Year PGT Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College. Darjeeling, West Bengal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/kd7cyr19

Keywords:

Elevated skull fracture , Pediatric head trauma, Bicycle accident

Abstract

Background: Elevated skull fractures are an extremely rare type of cranial injury, especially in the pediatric age group. They occur due to tangential blunt force trauma and differ markedly from more commonly encountered depressed or linear skull fractures.

Case Description: We present a rare case of a 15-year-old male who sustained fatal head and thoracic injuries following a fall from a bicycle during rainy weather. He was conscious initially but later deteriorated and succumbed despite medical management. Autopsy revealed an unusual outward displacement of a segment of the parietal bone — an elevated skull fracture — with associated extradural and subdural hemorrhages, comminuted cranial fractures, and a penetrating chest injury involving the right lung.

Conclusion: This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing elevated skull fractures as a distinct traumatic pattern. Proper documentation during autopsy can significantly aid in understanding injury dynamics, especially in pediatric accidental deaths. 

Author Biographies

  • Kuntal Banerjee, Junior Resident (PGT) Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College. Darjeeling, West Bengal

    Presently working as academic Junior resident 1st year in department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Previously handled roles of Medical Superintendent in Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata, Anandalok and Assistant MS at CMRI. Also worked as Deputy Superintendent at IQ City Medical College and Hospital. 

  • Dibyakar Chettri, Demonstrator, Department of Forensic Medicine. North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal

    Working as demonstrator at North Bengal Medical College at FMT department. 

  • Rajib Prasad, Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal

    Working as Professor and Head of the Department of FMT in North Bengal Medical College.

  • Partha Sarathi Bhartacharyya, Assistant Professor Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College. Darjeeling, West Bengal

    He is working as Assistant Professor in North Bengal Medical College at FMT department. 

  • Rumi Maitra, Demonstrator, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal

    Working as demonstrator in North bengal medical college at FMT department.

    Demonstrator, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal

  • Dinesh Ram, 2nd Year PGT Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal,

    2nd Year PGT Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal,

  • Thahsin, Ist, Year PGT Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College. Darjeeling, West Bengal

    Ist, Year PGT Department of Forensic Medicine, North Bengal Medical College. Darjeeling, West Bengal

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Published

2026-01-29

How to Cite

Elevated Skull Fracture in a 15-Year-Old Following Bicycle Fall: A Rare Autopsy Case Report. (2026). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 20(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.37506/kd7cyr19