Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps
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It is known that the first radiological units were widely used during war conflicts, whereas the first application of military radiology took place during the Greco-Turkish War in 1897. However, until recently automobile radiology units were assumed to be used for the first time during World War I. ⋯ This short historical note describes the first use of a mobile radiology unit during the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), predating its previously presumed first use in World War I. It also briefly highlights the contributions of some notable figures in 20th Century Greek scientific development.
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Review Case Reports
Freedom from frozen: the first British military use of lyophilised plasma in forward resuscitation.
Prehospital use of blood products may improve survival. However, transfusion support with frozen blood components is logistically burdensome and constrains the configuration of prehospital medical support. Alternatives to frozen plasma, including lyophilised plasma, offer the potential for advanced resuscitation in the prehospital environment. We describe the successful use of lyophilised plasma by a UK patrol in the prehospital environment during operations in Afghanistan in 2012 and reflect on recent military experience and the need for further developments.
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Behind armour blunt trauma (BABT) has been defined as a non-penetrating injury caused by the rapid deformation of body armour. There has been an increasing awareness of BABT as an injury mechanism in both the military and civilian worlds; whether BABT results in serious injuries is debatable. ⋯ Whether BABT can lead to life-threatening injuries when small-arms ammunition impacts body armour components designed to stop that ammunition is debatable. It should be emphasised that other data may be available in government reports that are not openly available. Further research should be considered that investigates developments in body armour, including initiatives that involve reducing burden, and how they affect BABT.
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To report the clinical features of ocular injuries associated with explosive military ammunition in insurgent attacks in Turkey. ⋯ The clinical results for eye injuries caused by explosive military ammunition sustained during insurgent attacks in Turkey are disappointing irrespective of the explosive material. The use of protective eyeglasses might improve the outcomes and should be encouraged.
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Case Reports
Predictive utility of cardiac ultrasound in traumatic cardiac arrest in a combat casualty.
We report a case of traumatic cardiac arrest in a combat casualty who was resuscitated to return of spontaneous circulation despite asystole and no visible cardiac activity on initial ultrasound examination. This return of spontaneous circulation suggests that survival may be possible in traumatic cardiac arrest due to exsanguination, even when there is no demonstrable cardiac activity on ultrasound. ⋯ We suggest that cardiac ultrasonography should be performed for a minimum of 1 min during volume resuscitation. If absence of cardiac activity is confirmed once the heart is full, and there are no other signs of life (including pupillary reaction), then termination of resuscitation should be considered.