title: Unusual pattern of injury caused by a pyrotechnic hand held signal flare.
abstract: The case is reported of a man shot with a distress flare from a range of about 3 m. The flare caused a large cavity deep in the pectoral muscles. There should be a high index of suspicion about the extent of the injury in all types of penetrating trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ragbir
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Saxby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery