A preliminary study on the radiologic findings in the major Wenchuan earthquake

Abstract

Objective To analyze the injury types and radiologic findings of the wounded in the major Wenchuan earthquake of May 12, 2008. Methods Radiologic results of 1013 victims admitted to MianYang Central Hospital from May 13, 2008 to May 19, 2008 were studied retrospectively, including X-ray of 854 cases (about 2900 local exam positions) and CT scan of 259 cases (about 300 local exam positions). Results 733 cases showed radiologic abnormalities, including 527 cases of single region injury (accounting for 52. 0%) and 206 cases of multi-region injury (accounting for 20. 3%), the overall positive rate was 72. 4%. The results were in the following order on the basis of the incidence, 288 cases of lower extremity injuries (28.4%), 151 cases of thoracic injuries(14. 9%), 136 cases of upper extremity injuries(13.4%), 133 cases of spine fracture(13.1%), 114 cases of pelvic fracture and dislocation(11.3%),88 cases of craniocerebral injuries (8. 7%), 25 cases of maxillofacial fracture (2. 5%) and 8 cases of abdominal tranma(0. 1%). Thoracic injuries included: rib fracture in 136 cases, pulmonary injury in 59 cases, and sternal fracture in 3 cases. Spinal fracture included: cervical vertebrae involved in 12 cases,thoracic vertebrae involved in 43 cases, lumbar vertebrae involved in 93 cases, and Sacrococcygeal vertebraeinvolved in 12 cases. Craniocerebral injuries included: skull fracture in 41 cases, endocranial abnormalities in 72 cases. Abdominal trauma included: intestinal obstruction in 4 cases, renal contusion in 3 cases and abdominal wall hematoma in 1 case. Conclusion Most parts of the body can be injured by earthquake.Bone fracture and dislocation of lower extremity are the most common manifestations. Key words: Natural disasters; injuries and damage; Radiography; Tomography, X-raycomputed