Page 112 - JSOM Spring 2021

providers solely focused on his extremity injury, the patient Disclosure
would likely have gone into cardiopulmonary arrest from re- The authors have nothing to disclose.
spiratory failure. The outcome could have been vastly differ-
ent. This patient’s rapid decompensation of 30 minutes further References
highlights the importance of quick thinking on the providers’ 1. Pierpont YN, Pappas-Politis E, Naidu DK, et al. Nail-gun injuries
parts and systematic evaluation in a dynamic and decompen- to the hand. Eplasty. 2008;8:e52.
sating patient. 2. Migliorini F, Bizzotto L, Curti P, et al. An unusual case of pneu-
matic nail gun scrotal injury and revision of the literature. Arch Ital
Urol Androl. 2017;89(4):325–326.
Conclusion 3. Lipscomb HJ, Schoenfisch AL. Nail gun injuries treated in U.S
emergency departments, 2006–2011: not just a worker safety issue.
We believe this to be the first case of pneumomediastinum from Am J Ind Med. 2015;58(8):880–885.
a distal hand nail gun injury, caused by air insufflation from 4. Webb DP, Ramsey JJ, Dignan RJ, et al. Penetrating injury to the
the nail passing through the tubing. This can be added to the heart requiring cardiopulmonary bypass: a case study. J Extra Cor-
por Technol. 2001;33(4):249–251.
list of hazards as pneumatic tools become increasingly preva- 5. Hiraoka T, Ogami T, Okamoto F, et al. Compressed air blast in-
lent at construction work sites, maintenance motor pools, and jury with palpebral, orbital, facial, cervical, and mediastinal em-
in deployed austere locations. This case highlights the impor- physema through an eyelid laceration: a case report and review of
tance of systematic trauma evaluation and treatment, as well literature. BMC Ophthalmol. 2013;13:68.
as the necessity to escalate interventions and treatments as the 6. Rayamane AP, Pradeepkumar MV. Accidental fatal lung injury by
patient’s clinical course changes. compressed air: a case report. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2015;36
(1):1–2.

Foster your professional The Journal of Special Operations Medicine (JSOM) is the
only peer-reviewed medical journal that specifically addresses
development with a the work environment of medical professionals who operate in
hostile, remote and austere locations or a combination of all
subscription to the JSOM three. The JSOM allows a forum for universal contribution and
discussion of Operational Medicine by military medics and
practitioners and their civilian counterparts.
The content of the JSOM transcends military and civilian
medicine by presenting practical ideas and techniques. It is the
only journal focused on cutting-edge research and science,
proven hands-on techniques, and lessons-learned in the world
of Operational Medicine.
Operational Medicine is simply the art and science by
which assigned or affiliated medical personnel provide medical
support under operational constraints. All facets of Operational
Medicine combine to accomplish two purposes: To accomplish
the mission and to minimize the impact of that mission on those
who perform it. If you or someone you know fits this description
or are simply interested in knowing more about this unique
brand of medicine, then you are invited to subscribe to the
Journal of Special Operations Medicine.
Subscribe Today at www.JSOMonline.org
Back issues, articles, and our annual Advanced
Tactical Paramedic Protocol Manual are available
on our Online Store.

subscriptions@JSOMonline.org | (727) 748-7141

108 | JSOM Volume 21, Edition 1 / Spring 2021