A case of naso-orbital-ethmoid fracture following unexpected airbag deployment

The installation of airbags as standard equipment in modern cars, combined with the use of seat belts, has reduced the severity of crash-related injuries. However, new airbag-related maxillofacial injuries directly associated with airbag deployment raise questions about the potential dangers of these devices when they operate improperly. Here, we report a rare case of a patient who sustained a mid-facial injury, including a naso-orbital-ethmoid fracture, due to an airbag that inflated improperly when the driver placed her hand on the car's horn switch. The airbag was thought to be deployed following the crash at the same timing of sounding the horn. (C) 2014 Asian AOMS, ASOMP, JSOP, JSOMS, JSOM, and JAMI. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.