Emergency War Surgery NATO Handbook: Part I: Types of Wounds and Injuries: Chapter V: Blast Injuries
United States Department of Defense
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer
Reviewed
Primary blast injury may present in individuals exposed to powerful explosions in military operations. It is likely to coexist with missile injuries, blunt trauma, burns, and other injuries.
Diagnosis is suspected in the presence of tympanic rupture or hypopharyngeal petechial hemorrhage. Treatment is similar to that for blunt trauma to the chest or abdomen. An important feature is the recognition of pneumothorax and arterial air emboli, both of which may be made worse by positive pressure ventilation.
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