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Notice to Readers: Blast Lung Injury: What Clinicians Need to Know
Worldwide terrorist activity increases the risk for injuries related to explosions; however, few health-care providers in the United States have experience treating these injuries. To address this concern, CDC has added the fact sheet, "Blast Lung Injury: What Clinicians Need to Know" to the Mass Trauma Preparedness and Response page on the CDC website (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masstrauma/index.asp). Basic clinical information regarding the presentation, evaluation, management, and outcomes of blast lung injury (BLI) is provided; a chest radiograph of BLI also is included.
BLI is a direct consequence of a blast wave from a high-explosive detonation striking the body and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality both at the scene and among initial survivors. The impact on lungs results in tearing,
hemorrhage, contusion, and edema. BLI is a clinical diagnosis characterized by respiratory difficulty and hypoxia, which can occur without obvious external injury to the chest.
BLI presents unique triage, diagnostic, and management challenges. A list of references and readings on BLI is
provided with the fact sheet. Information regarding other injuries resulting from explosions is provided on the Mass
Trauma Preparedness and Response page.
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Health and Human Services.References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are
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endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content
of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of
the date of publication.
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