otg
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Indeed, you are absolutely correct on that, B.otg weren't the above examples victims of falling or being propelled into a stationary object rather than being a stationary victim who is hit with a moving object?
(I know ... I'm a broken record.)
Natasha Richardson fell in a skiing accident and hit her head. EMTs (or whatever theyre called in Canada) were called, but she refused medical attention. Later when she began having a severe headache (very common with epidural bleeding), she was taken to a hospital. She died two days later.
Gary Coleman fell down a staircase in his home. There were questions about whether it was accidental (he was prone to seizures) or intentional on the part of his ex-wife who was still living in his home. But without proof otherwise, his death was ruled an accident. He too was awake and talking before he went into a coma the next day. He died two days later.
Dr. Robert Atkins slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk hitting his head. He lost consciousness on the way to the hospital. He was in a coma for nine days before dying.
Lucid intervals can occur in other types of TBIs as well, but not with the same frequency as epidural bleeding. The reason for this is that epidural hemorrhages are from broken arterial blood vessels which fill the space between the skull and the dura mater compressing the brain. Without relieving the pressure, the brain stem eventually becomes herniated and causes unconsciousness. But it takes time before the effects are felt. This is also called talk and die syndrome.
In order to relieve the pressure from a hematoma, doctors perform a procedure called a craniotomy where a section of skull is removed allowing the brain to swell without increasing the pressure within the skull. Another procedure used is called trepanation, where a hole is drilled through the skull down to the dura mater.
I understand your point, B; and you know Ive never dismissed it because I dont have proof to the contrary. But the information about epidural bleeding isnt really pertinent to JonBenet because Meyer doesnt make mention of any in the AR. He does say she had subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhaging. Knowing the force that must have caused the depressed fracture, Im surprised that there wouldnt be any epidural bleeding; but it could be (MOO) that the depressed fracture allowed the blood to escape into the area outside of the skull and underneath the scalp -- the same as if a doctor had performed one of the surgical procedures to relieve the pressure. A hematoma develops when there is no other place for the escaping arterial blood to go. (The attached photo might help seeing the difference between epidural and subdural hematomas.)
As to whether or not JonBenet might have had a lucid interval, I would certainly think not. Her injuries were just so massive I cant imagine that she would have ever regained consciousness even had she not been strangled.
If there is any takeaway from this, it should be a warning to anyone who might have a child, a grandchild, or a loved one who gets hit in the head or falls hitting their head. Dont wait to see if its okay. Seek immediate medical attention -- even if they are awake and seem to be okay. Its not worth taking a chance.
