title: A case of Tannerite(®) target mixture causing severe blast injury.
abstract: Tannerite(®) is a proprietary blend of an oxidizer, ammonium nitrate, and aluminum powder catalyst used to make homemade exploding targets. While it is currently approved for unrestricted sale in the United States, it can be used to form devices capable of inflicting major blast injury. We present here a case of close proximity exposure to detonation of the mixed Tannerite(®) blend. In our patient, the exposure lead to injuries typical of blast injury, such as tympanic membrane rupture, globe injury, and severe burns. We review here the sequelae of blast injuries that one must consider when treating a patient with close proximity exposure to Tannerite, with considerations unique to this product.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103, United States. Electronic address: rrebowe@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Ryan E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Rebowe
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103, United States.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harbour
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103, United States.
authors.forename: Jeffrey E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103, United States.
authors.forename: Joseph Andrew
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Molnar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001753:Blast Injuries; D002056:Burns; D002057:Burns, Chemical; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D005107:Explosions; D053834:Explosive Agents; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies; D005131:Eye Injuries; D005151:Facial Injuries; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone; D006230:Hand Injuries; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D013898:Thoracic Injuries; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation
chemical_list: D053834:Explosive Agents
keywords: Binary explosive target; Blast injury; Tannerite