A 24-year-old man detained during interrogation complains of bilateral ear pain, hearing diminution, and bleeding from both ears. Examination shows bilateral hemotympanum with perforation of both tympanic membranes. Which method of torture best explains these findings?

• A Falanga
• B Dry submarine
• C Palestinian hanging
• D Telephone torture ✓

Explanation

Telephone torture, called telephono, consists of forcefully slapping both ears simultaneously with cupped palms. The trapped air column ruptures both tympanic membranes, producing bilateral hemotympanum, conductive deafness, and sometimes vertigo. Falanga is beating of the soles, dry submarine is confinement in a suffocating enclosure, and Palestinian hanging is suspension by the wrists behind the back, none of which produce bilateral tympanic membrane perforation.

Reference: Knight's Forensic Pathology, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.