Airbag injuries: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
*Airbag deployment can cause | *Airbag deployment can cause injury via multiple mechanisms, such as: | ||
* | **Caustic injuries from aerosolized alkali (including sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate) | ||
**Blunt trauma from direct contact with airbag | |||
**Rapid deceleration and associated flexion and/or hyperextension injuries | |||
==Clinical Features== | ==Clinical Features== | ||
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==Workup== | ==Workup== | ||
* | *Depends on location/type of suspected injury | ||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
Latest revision as of 18:57, 3 July 2017
Background
- Airbag deployment can cause injury via multiple mechanisms, such as:
- Caustic injuries from aerosolized alkali (including sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate)
- Blunt trauma from direct contact with airbag
- Rapid deceleration and associated flexion and/or hyperextension injuries
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
- Depends on location/type of suspected injury
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