title: Patterns of fracture after air bag deployment.
abstract: The airbag restraint system has been described as a means of reducing fatalities in frontal crashes. This conclusion is based on crash investigations and statistical extrapolation, but few data exist to document specific fracture patterns and injuries after airbag deployment. Seven cases of driver's side airbag deployment after motor vehicle crashes were studied for extent of injury. Unrestrained (non-seatbelted) drivers demonstrated flexion injuries of the cervical and thoracic spine and direct impaction fractures of the face and sternum. One restrained (lap-shoulder belt) driver demonstrated an extension injury of the upper cervical spine. What may emerge from further study is a decrease in fatalities, but also a pattern of fractures specific to airbag use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, UMDNJ, University Hospital, Newark 07103-2425.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Blacksin
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017278:Air Bags / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*