Bomb blast injuries to the ear: The London Bridge incident series

Author(s): Pracy, J. P., Huggon, A. M., Gleeson, M. J.

Journal/Book: J Accid Emerg Medicine. 1995; 12: Osney Mead, Oxford, Oxon, England OX2 0EL. Blackwell Science Ltd. 194-198.

Abstract: Twelve patients who were treated for ear injuries at Guy's Hospital following the London Bridge bomb blast in February 1992 were reviewed. Among th ree there were four perforated eardrums, two of which closed spontaneously (50%). All three patients had a persistent mixed hearing loss. The remaining nine patients had acute sensorineural hearing loss and/or tinnitus only. Four of these had resolved completely by 4h, another one by 48h, and two by 4 weeks. Two patients had a residual high frequency hearing loss. In total, five patients (42%) have a persistent hearing loss. None of the patients suffered from balance problems. In summary, the ear is very susceptible to bomb blast injury, but there is a high rate of spontaneous closure of perforations and improvement of sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.

Note: Article RM Walsh, Guys Hosp, Dept Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, St Thomas St, London SE1 9RT, England

Keyword(s): blast injury; sensorineural hearing loss

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