Express X-Ray Diagnostics of Mine-Blast Trauma of the Skull

In modern armed conflicts, most casualties are caused by mine-explosive trauma, including cranial trauma, the diagnosis of which has become a new problem for forensic medicine. A partial solution to this problem may be express diagnostics with portable X-ray machines, which combine high speed of examination with ease of use and mobility. Aim . To study the capabilities of a small-sized portable X-ray machine for express diagnostics of mine-explosive trauma to the skull. Materials and Methods . Using a portable handheld X-ray machine, in atypical positions, an express diagnosis of 51 corpses was performed. Results . During the study, 68 skull X-rays were obtained. It was found that in 11.7 % of cases the injuries were caused by small fragments, in 9.8 % by large fragments of wounding shells, and 17.6 % of the injuries were caused by the combined action of fragments of different calibers. The vast majority of the wounding projectiles found had no a clear geometric shape. In addition to the fragmentation effect of the ammunition, multiple bone fractures were detected due to the impact of the blast wave. The possibility of determining the wound channel with visualization of the entry and exit holes was confirmed. At the site of direct impact of the wounding agent, foreign particles of metallic density were visualized, and along the wound channel multiple tiny bone fragments were detected. Conclusion . Radiography on a small-sized (portable) X-ray machine handheld does not have a significant effect on the quality of the images obtained. Express diagnostics on a portable machine visualizes all signs of gunshot wounds - fractures, shrapnel, bullets and their fragments, wound channels, entry and exit holes, damage to soft tissues.