Airbag injuries

Background

Airbag deployment can cause injury via multiple mechanisms, such as:
- Caustic injuries from aerosolized alkali (including sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate)
- Blunt trauma from direct contact with airbag
- Rapid deceleration and associated flexion and/or hyperextension injuries

Clinical Features

Burns

Usually minor
Related to direct contact with skin or heat from melted clothing
Deployment releases small amount of alkali
- Skin burns are usually minor
- Ocular burns require irrigation, pH testing and ophtho follow up
- Long-term sequelae are rare

Ocular Injuries

Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment

Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment

Chemical keratitis
Corneal Abrasion

Cervical and Thoracic Spine Injuries

see Cervical spine fractures and dislocations
see Thoracic trauma

Myocardial rupture

Uncommon complication
Can exist with barotrauma alone with the absence of rib fractures[1]

Differential Diagnosis

Caustic Burns

Caustic ingestion
Caustic eye exposure (Caustic keratoconjunctivitis)
Caustic dermal burn
Airbag-related burns
Hydrofluoric acid
Tar burn
Cement burn

Workup

Depends on location/type of suspected injury

Management

Skin: basic burn care
Eye: copious irrigation, pH testing, ophthalmology consult
- Consider conservative management with antibiotics, and a short course of steroids[2]

Disposition

Depends on type and severity of injury

See Also

References

Lancaster GI, et al. Air-bag-associated rupture of the right atrium. N Engl J Med. 1993; 328:358.
Brodovsky SC, et al: Management of alkali burns: An 11-year retrospective review. Ophthalmology. 2000; 107:1829-1835.

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