Beirut port explosion: unusual presentation of bilateral blast-related extensor mechanism rupture

Skeletal Radiology (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Industrial disasters related to high-order explosives result in characteristic injuries that are seldom seen among civilians. Survivors of these disasters often present with injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Awareness of explosion and blast injuries for healthcare providers who care for civilians is important considering the possibility of such events as demonstrated in the past two decades, including the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and the explosion of the port of Tianjin, China, in 2015. We report an unusual presentation of isolated bilateral rupture of the knee extensor mechanism in a 46-year-old healthy male, with history of anabolic androgen steroid (AAS) use. He was standing 1.5 miles from the site of the site of explosion of the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. We discuss the imaging appearance of this injury, the different mechanisms of blast-related injuries, the role of possible underlying pathology, and the management of this patient.

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Affiliations

  1. Bahman Hospital, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Manar Zaiter, Abir Ayoub & Assaad Mohana

  2. Department of Radiology, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA

    Ali Guermazi

  3. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 32 Fruit Street, YAW-6044, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Mohamed Jarraya

Authors
  1. Manar Zaiter
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  2. Abir Ayoub
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  3. Assaad Mohana
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  4. Ali Guermazi
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  5. Mohamed Jarraya
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Correspondence to Mohamed Jarraya.

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Zaiter, M., Ayoub, A., Mohana, A. et al. Beirut port explosion: unusual presentation of bilateral blast-related extensor mechanism rupture. Skeletal Radiol (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-020-03707-2

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Keywords

  • High-energy explosion
  • Blast injury
  • Extensor mechanism rupture
  • Quadriceps tendon rupture
  • Patellar tendon rupture