Penetrating head injuries caused by a new weapon, the side dome

Mil Med. 1999 Oct;164(10):746-50.

Abstract

The "side dome" is a mix of high and low explosives with a multitude of small metal balls molded within a specially designed half-sphere that directs the explosion wave and the projectiles in one direction to augment the harm. This weapon, originally designed by guerrilla and terrorist groups, is now used by regular armies. This report presents one craniocervical and eight cranial injuries caused by this new weapon and discusses the cases' various clinical features, the paucity of intracerebral cavitation damage along the missile track, the need for only minimally aggressive surgery, and the relatively favorable outcome. In all cases, the helmet offered good protection and the entry of the projectiles was just below its rim in an upward direction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blast Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Blast Injuries / etiology*
  • Blast Injuries / surgery
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnostic imaging
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / etiology*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / surgery
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Head Protective Devices
  • Humans
  • Israel
  • Lebanon
  • Male
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Personnel*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Warfare*
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Penetrating / etiology*
  • Wounds, Penetrating / surgery