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Isolated Intrathoracic Injury with Air Bag Use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Andrew E. Sama ,
Douglas P. Barnaby ,
Kevin J. Wallis ,
Dominick Gadaleta ,
Michael H. Hall ,
Roy L. Nelson ,
James Naidich  and
Robert J. Ward
Andrew E. Sama
Affiliation:
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Manhasset, New York
Douglas P. Barnaby
Affiliation:
Paramedic, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Manhasset, New York
Kevin J. Wallis*
Affiliation:
Administrative Director of Research and Development, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Manhasset, New York
Dominick Gadaleta
Affiliation:
Attending, Division of General Surgery, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York
Michael H. Hall
Affiliation:
Chief, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Associate Professor of Surgery, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York
Roy L. Nelson
Affiliation:
Attending, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Associate Professor of Surgery, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York
James Naidich
Affiliation:
Attending, Department of Radiology, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Professor of Radiology, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York
Robert J. Ward
Affiliation:
Chief, Division of General Surgery, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York
*
Administrative Director of Research and Development, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, New York 11030USA
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Abstract

The restrained (air bag and seatbelt) driver of a vehicle involved in a high-speed motor-vehicle accident sustained a tear of the thoracic aorta with no signs of external injury. Air bag deployment may mask significant internal injury, and a high index of suspicion is warranted in such situations.

Keywords

airbagsaortic disruptionautomobile accidentcontusioncrashesmotor-vehicle accidentmyocardial contusionparaplegiapulmonary contusionrestraintsseat beltstrauma
Type
Case Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 10 , Issue 3: CJ Shanaberger Memorial Issue , September 1995 , pp. 198 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1995

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