At 2:49 pm on April 15, 2013, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated near the finish line of the 117th Boston Marathon, immediately killing three bystanders and injuring hundreds (Singh et al., 2016). Prior to the rise in terrorist attacks, most explosive injuries occurred in combat zones. Each blast injury comes with different injuries or a combination of injuries depending on the severity. The injuries have several negative effects on the body. Certain radiologic imaging can be used to evaluate the severity of the injuries and the types of treatment that will be needed.
Blast injuries are divided and classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. These injuries can happen separately or in different combinations. Primary blast injuries are caused by the direct effect on the tissue of the blast overpressure wave. This is a shock wave over and above normal atmospheric pressure. Body parts that can be …show more content…
All patients who display respiratory symptoms, have visible external signs of thoracic trauma, have a tympanic membrane rupture, or have abnormal findings when listening to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs should have chest radiographs performed (Pennardt, 2016). When imaging abdominal blast injuries ultrasound, x-ray, and CT are all used (Pennardt, 2016). Abdominal CT scans can be used to detect pneumoperitoneum from intestinal rupture and other internal organ injuries (Pennardt, 2016). The Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination is a potentially useful tool for rapidly screening patients, especially in the setting of multiple seriously injured victims (Pennardt, 2016). X-rays as well as CT scans can be used to image extremities that have been injured in a blast. For imaging of the head CT scans are used for auditory and brain injuries (Singh et al.,
Blast injuries are divided and classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. These injuries can happen separately or in different combinations. Primary blast injuries are caused by the direct effect on the tissue of the blast overpressure wave. This is a shock wave over and above normal atmospheric pressure. Body parts that can be …show more content…
All patients who display respiratory symptoms, have visible external signs of thoracic trauma, have a tympanic membrane rupture, or have abnormal findings when listening to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs should have chest radiographs performed (Pennardt, 2016). When imaging abdominal blast injuries ultrasound, x-ray, and CT are all used (Pennardt, 2016). Abdominal CT scans can be used to detect pneumoperitoneum from intestinal rupture and other internal organ injuries (Pennardt, 2016). The Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination is a potentially useful tool for rapidly screening patients, especially in the setting of multiple seriously injured victims (Pennardt, 2016). X-rays as well as CT scans can be used to image extremities that have been injured in a blast. For imaging of the head CT scans are used for auditory and brain injuries (Singh et al.,