Thoracic Compression Fractures as a Result of Shock From a Conducted Energy Weapon: A Case Report
Received 1 May 2007; received in revised form 7 June 2007; accepted 11 June 2007. published online 10 September 2007.
The Taser is an electrical conducted energy weapon used by law enforcement officers throughout the United States and the world. Though generally regarded as safe, conducted energy weapons can produce injuries. In this case report we describe for the first time thoracic spine compression fractures resulting from a conducted energy weapon discharge. Physicians who may care for patients who have been exposed to a conducted energy weapon discharge should be aware of this as a possible complication.
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.
Address for correspondence: James E. Winslow, MD, MPH, Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1089; 336-716-1740, fax 336-716-1705
Supervising editor: Judd E. Hollander, MD
Funding and support: By Annals policy, all authors are required to disclose any and all commercial, financial, and other relationships in any way related to the subject of this article, that might create any potential conflict of interest. The authors have stated that no such relationships exist. See the Manuscript Submission Agreement in this issue for examples of specific conflicts covered by this statement.
Publication dates: Available online September 10, 2007.
ABSTRACT