Journal article
Imaging findings of the injured in the massive Beirut blast
Emergency radiology, Vol.30(6), pp.699-709
12/01/2023
DOI: 10.1007/s10140-023-02175-0
PMID: 37851147
Abstract
Purpose(1) Describe imaging utilization and findings within two weeks of the 2020 Beirut blast according to the mechanism of injury, (2) determine the appropriate imaging modality per organ/system, and (3) describe changes in the workflow of a radiology department to deal with massive crises.Materials and methodsTwo hundred sixty patients presented to the largest emergency department in Beirut and underwent imaging within 2 weeks of the blast. In this retrospective study, patients were divided into early (1) and late (2) imaging groups. Patients' demographic, outcome, type and time of imaging studies, body parts imaged, and mechanism and types of injuries were documented.ResultsTwo hundred five patients in group 1 underwent 502 and 55 patients in group 2 underwent 145 imaging studies. Tertiary blast injuries from direct impact and falling objects were the most common type of injuries followed by secondary (shrapnel) injuries. Both types of injuries affected mostly the head and neck and upper extremities. Plain radiographs were adequate for the extremities and CT for the head and neck. A regularly updated and practiced emergency plan is essential to mobilize staff and equipment and efficiently deliver radiology services during crises.ConclusionBecause the powerful Beirut blast occurred at the port located in the periphery of the city, most injuries seen on imaging were of the upper extremities and head and neck caused by the severe blast wind or penetrating shrapnel and resulted from people using their arms to protect their heads and bodies from direct impact and falling objects.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Imaging findings of the injured in the massive Beirut blast
- Creators
- Caline Azzi - American University of Beirut Medical CenterHero K. Hussain - American University of Beirut Medical CenterYara Jabbour - American University of Beirut Medical CenterHani Tamim - American University of Beirut Medical CenterFarah Abou Zeid - American University of Beirut Medical CenterChantal Akkari - American University of Beirut Medical CenterMihran Khdhir - Yale New Haven HospitalNabil Khoury - American University of Beirut Medical CenterHicham Moukaddam - American University of Beirut Medical CenterRoula Hourani - American University of Beirut Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Emergency radiology, Vol.30(6), pp.699-709
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10140-023-02175-0
- PMID
- 37851147
- ISSN
- 1070-3004
- eISSN
- 1438-1435
- Number of pages
- 11
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/01/2023
- Academic Unit
- Radiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984697621202771
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