Sternal Fracture Due to Airbag Injury: Case Report

This article presents a case of apparently isolated sternal fracture caused by airbag deployment during a motor vehicle crash. The authors examine the mechanism of injury caused by the airbag and present the ultrasonographic diagnostic approach. In this case, the driver had no seatbelt and was driving too close to the steering wheel; he received the full force of the airbag deployment and the lack of seatbelt protection moved him forward to the deploying airbag. They note that, although airbags reduce the overall risk of injury and death from motor vehicle accidents, the airbag may cause injuries during deployment, particularly during low-severity crashes. The authors conclude by calling for improved airbag deployment technology. One figure presents the sternal ultrasonography, a second is the computed tomography (CT scan) showing the sternum fracture.

• Authors:
  • Kapisiz, Nazmiye Selcuk
  • Ozpolat, Berkant
  • Kapisiz, Fahri
  • Yucel, Ertan
• Publication Date: 2010-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 181-182
• Serial:
  • Turkish Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Turkish Association of Trauma and Emergency Surgery

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Case studies; Crash injuries; Crash severity; Diagnosis; Injury severity; Traffic crash victims; Ultrasonic tests
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01340905
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 26 2011 10:29AM