title: Home-made explosive found inside injured Afghan.
abstract: There is extensive literature on metal fragments from improvised explosive devices being embedded in patients but there are no reports describing the clinical and radiological appearances of embedded home-made explosive (HME). We present a case of partially detonated HME being found inside a patient's forearm. We discuss the medical management of the injury, the ongoing risk to the patient and surgical team associated with the explosive and the safe disposal of the substance.
authors: Department of Surgery, MDHU Derriford, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Pengelly
authors: Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Moore
authors: Department of EOD and Search Squadron, Royal Logistics Corps, Task Force Helmand, Afghanistan.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Burgess
authors: Department of Radiology, Role 3 Medical Treatment Facility, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mahlon
authors: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, RCDM, Birmingham, UK.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Rowlands
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Cubison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D002704:Chlorates; D053834:Explosive Agents; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005547:Foreign Bodies; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D011482:Protective Devices; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002704:Chlorates; D053834:Explosive Agents; C022842:chloric acid
keywords: Trauma Management; Wound Management