Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Blast and Ballistics: Types, Background, Terminology

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Combat Radiology

  • 862 Accesses

Abstract

Many combat casualties are victims of explosives, resulting in catastrophic polytrauma with multiple types of injuries. Terrorists attack in an attempt to drain resources, injuring many, with grueling psychological effects to help get their message across. Blast injuries are not as unique to battle as we would hope, however, as they are unfortunately becoming more common worldwide outside the battlefield environment. Familiarity with imaging manifestations of blast injuries, for example, is paramount no matter the setting, country, or location. Disasters, explosions, and shootings can happen in all types of settings and can occur anywhere. Some example cases of blast and ballistic injury are highlighted to illustrate our experiences in imaging findings and surgical follow-up in combat casualties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. DePalma RG, Burris DG, Champion HR. Current concepts blast injuries. N Engl J Med. 2005 31 March,352(13):1335–1342.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Eastridge BJ. Things that go boom: injuries from explosives. J Trauma. 2007,62(6 Suppl):S38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bounovas A, Perente S, Laftsidis P, Polychronidis A, Simopoulos C. Perforation of the colon from the primary blast effect of an extraperitoneal shotgun injury: case report. Mil Med. 2007 Mar,172(3):327–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Avidan V, Hersch M, Armon Y et al. Blast lung injury: clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcome. Am J Surg. 2005,190:927–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Rich N, Burris D. Letters to the editor. J Trauma. 2006 Oct,61(4):1024.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bland EF, Beebe GW. Missiles in the heart: a twenty-year follow-up report of World War II cases. N Engl J Med. 1966 May,274(19):1039–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bernini CO, Junqueira AR Jr, Horita LT et al. Pulmonary embolism from gunshot missiles. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1983 May,156(5):615–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Nehme AE. Intracranial bullet migrating to pulmonary artery. J Trauma. 1980 Apr,20(4):344–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Singer RL, Dangleben DA, Salim A, Kurek SJ, Shah KT, Goodreau JJ, Shaff DI, Szydlowski GW. Missile embolism to the pulmonary artery: case report and pitfalls of management. Ann Thorac Surg. 2003 Nov,76(5):1722–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Stephenson LW, Workman RB, Aldrete JS, Karp RB. Bullet emboli to the pulmonary artery: a report of 2 patients and review of the literature. Ann Thorac Surg. 1976 Apr,21(4):333–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bertoldo U, Enrichens F, Comba A, Ghiselli G et al. Retrograde venous bullet embolism: a rare occurrence – case report and literature review. J Trauma. 2004 Jul,57(1):187–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Andrews C, Andrews K, Folio L. Venous fragment embolism to the pulmonary artery: a rare occurrence – case report and literature review of venous fragment embolization to the pulmonary artery. Mil Med. 2009 Sept,174(9):iv,v.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. DiMaio MD, Vincent JM. 1999 Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and Forensic Techniques, 2nd Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Fackler ML. Ballistic injury. Ann Emerg Med. 1986,15(12):1451–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Folio LR, McHugh, Hoffman M. The even number guide: a method for accounting for ballistic injuries. Radiol Technol. 2007 Jan/Feb,78(3):197–203.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Jackson AM, Searcey BK, Smirniotopoulos JG, Folio L. Keyhole fracture of the skull. Mil Med. 2008 Dec,173(12):xix–xx.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Spitz WU. 1980 Injury by gunfire: gunshot wounds. In: Spitz WU, Fisher RS, editors. Medicolegal Investigations of Death: Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Dixon DS. Keyhole lesions in gunshot wounds to the skull and direction of fire. J Forensic Sci. 1982,27:555–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Berryman HE, Gunther WM. Keyhole defect production in tubular bone. J Forensic Sci. 2000 Mar,45(2):483–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associate Professor Radiology and Radiological Sciences Associate Professor Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Les R. Folio DO, MPH, FAOCR Col (ret), USAF, MC, SFS

Authors
  1. Les R. Folio DO, MPH, FAOCR Col (ret), USAF, MC, SFS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Folio, L.R. (2010). Blast and Ballistics: Types, Background, Terminology. In: Combat Radiology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5854-9_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5854-9_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-5853-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-5854-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation