Tire explosion injuries

Blast overpressure after tire explosion: a fatal case

Fatal blast injuries are generally reported in literature as a consequence of the detonation of explosives in war settings. The pattern of lesion depends on the position of the victim in relation to the explosion, on whether the blast tracks through air or water, and whether it happens in the open air or within an enclosed space and the distance from the explosion. Tire explosion-related injuries are rarely reported in literature. This study presents a fatal case of blast overpressure due to the accidental explosion of a truck tire occurring in a tire repair shop. A multidisciplinary approach to the fatality involving forensic pathologists and engineers revealed that the accidental explosion, which caused a series of primary and tertiary blast wave injuries, was due to tire deterioration.

Wheelbarrow tire explosion causing trauma to the forearm and hand: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Tire explosion injuries are rare, but they may result in a severe injury pattern. Case reports and statistics from injuries caused by exploded truck tires during servicing are established, but trauma from exploded small tires seems to be unknown.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 47-year-old german man inflated a wheelbarrow tire. The tire exploded during inflation and caused an open, multiple forearm and hand injury.

CONCLUSION

Even small tires can cause severe injury patterns in the case of an explosion. High inflating pressures and low safety distances are the main factors responsible for this occurrence. Broad safety information and suitable filling devices are indispensable for preventing these occurrences.

Severe tyre blast injuries during servicing

BACKGROUND

The destructive potential of the tyre explosions has received little attention in the medical literature. Fatal and severely deforming injuries have been reported. These blasts mainly affect the personnel servicing big vehicle tyres such as trucks and buses. We aimed to review the relevant literature on tyre blast injuries so as to define the mechanism of injury, outcome, and its methods of prevention.

METHODS

A search of the English literature on tyre blast injuries was performed through Medline. Different studies were retrieved, analysed and combined together.

RESULTS

A total of 763 patients were studied in the literature. Most of the patients were young aged male mechanics and the explosions usually occur during tyre servicing especially during inflation. Injury is caused by the pressure impact of the explosion or by direct hit of the rim. The head and face are the most commonly affected regions (48%) followed by the upper limbs (20%). About 25% of patients had multi-trauma. The overall mortality is high (19%) and is mainly caused by head injuries.

CONCLUSION

Inflated large tyres contain a tremendous amount of potential energy. Tyre blast injuries during servicing have a high morbidity and mortality. Preventive occupational methods should be implemented.

Eye injuries due to tractor wheel explosion: report of two cases

CASE REPORT

We describe 2 patients who sustained eye injuries when tractor wheels exploded while being inflated. Descriptions of ocular involvement from such accidents are rare in the literature. One of our patients experienced severe eye trauma requiring enucleation. In the second case, despite trauma to both eyes, 20/20 vision was recovered.

COMMENTS

Injuries from exploding tires are compared to those seen in the context of air-bag deployment, and safety recommendations are discussed.

Trauma from tire and rim explosions: a retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to review injuries occurring as a result of tire and rim explosions treated at a level I trauma center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The retrospective audit evaluated the university hospital trauma database based on ICD-9 code to isolate patients sustaining tire and rim explosion injuries. A total of 12 complete patient records were derived from this search to allow determination of injuries and outcome assessments.

RESULTS

Injury patterns from tire and rim explosions were categorized in terms of anatomic region, treatment and hospitalization, disposition, and outcome assessment. Maxillofacial injuries were further subdivided into specific injuries involving a total of 7 patients from this case series.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant blast injuries can result from tire and rim explosions, which can often involve the maxillofacial region due to proximity to the source. Reductions in injuries have been seen since the implementation of physical safety measures by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Highway Transportation Safety Board.

Early wrist arthrodesis for irreparable intra-articular distal radial fractures

When articular restoration and congruity cannot be accomplished in distal radial fractures owing to severe articular bone loss or comminution, early wrist arthrodesis should be considered. This procedure rapidly restores wrist alignment and stability and controls pain. Arthrodesis is a highly reliable and definitive procedure that optimises the opportunity for early functional and occupational recovery while minimising the risks of developing stiff digits or chronic pain in injuries otherwise doomed from the start of treatment to result in severe wrist stiffness and post-traumatic arthritis. Simultaneous proximal row carpectomy or the use of ipsilateral local bone graft donor sites, such as the distal radius or proximal ulna, decrease both initial treatment and hospital costs and morbidity. Wrist arthrodesis is also effective when polytrauma or multiple fractures co-exist. Successful early treatment may expedite return to work and reduce lost time and wages resulting from the injury.

Open hand fractures: an analysis of the recovery of active motion and of complications

Seventy-five of 104 patients who underwent operative fixation of open hand fractures were reviewed between 6 months and 7 years after injury (average, 17 months). There were 140 fractures involving 125 fingers. Results, evaluated on the basis of total active range of digital motion achieved at final follow-up, correlated highly with severity of soft tissue injury. When open fractures of comparable severity were contrasted between groups that did and did not require additional extension by incision to achieve acceptable reduction and stabilization, there was some additional loss of active range of motion in the surgically treated group. Metacarpal fractures had significantly better outcomes than phalangeal fractures. Fractures involving the proximal phalanx or the proximal interphalangeal joint had the poorest prognosis, especially when they were associated with tendon injury. There were significant complications in 13 fingers. Infection and late amputation were related to wound severity.