We need you! Join our contributor community and become a WikEM editor through our open and transparent promotion process.
Airbag injuries
From WikEM
(Redirected from Airbag-related burns)
Contents
Background
- Airbag deployment can cause caustic injuries from aerosolized ALKALI including sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate
- Additional mechanisms of injury from direct contact, quick deceleration, flexion and/or hyperextension depending on seat belt use
Clinical Features
Burns
- Usually minor
- Related to direct contact with skin or heat from melted clothing
- Deployment releases small amount of alkali
- Skin burns are usually minor
- Ocular burns require irrigation, pH testing and ophtho follow up
- Long-term sequelae are rare
Ocular Injuries
- Chemical keratitis
- Corneal Abrasion
Cervical and Thoracic Spine Injuries
Myocardial rupture
- Uncommon complication
- Can exist with barotrauma alone with the absence of rib fractures[1]
Differential Diagnosis
Caustic Burns
- Caustic ingestion
- Caustic eye exposure (Caustic keratoconjunctivitis)
- Caustic dermal burn
- Airbag-related burns
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Tar burn
- Cement burn
Workup
- Clinical diagnosis
Management
- Skin: basic burn care
- Eye: copious irrigation, pH testing, ophthalmology consult
- Consider conservative management with antibiotics, and a short course of steroids[2]
Disposition
- Depends on type and severity of injury
See Also
References
- ↑ Lancaster GI, et al. Air-bag-associated rupture of the right atrium. N Engl J Med. 1993; 328:358.
- ↑ Brodovsky SC, et al: Management of alkali burns: An 11-year retrospective review. Ophthalmology. 2000; 107:1829-1835.
