ASSOCIATION OF MINE BLAST INJURY WITH RADIOOPAQUE FOREIGN BODY ON RADIOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT OF THE SEVERITY AND AREA INVOLVED

Mine Blast Injury

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association of mine blast injury with radio-opaque foreign body on radiology and assessment of the severity and area of body involved.

Design: Observational study.

Place and Duration: The study was conducted at CMH Quetta and included cases over a span of one year from Aug 2005 to august 2006.

Patients and Methods: 28 cases which had antipersonnel land mine injuries were taken at random from record and their x-rays were analyzed for radio-opaque material in the filed up imaging films and area of the body involved and severity was grouped.

Conclusion: Landmine blast injury is associated with metallic radio-opaque foreign body on radiology. In this small study about 82 percentage have radioopaque material and majority were less than 10 mm. 60.7% percentage had severe injuries with fractures and amputation and major exploration was required. More than 50% involved combined injuries to limb and torso.