Diagnostic imaging in mass casualty events

Abstract

A mass casualty event (MCE) is defi ned as a disaster that results in serious harm to the local population and one that overwhelms the response capabilities of the available resources [1]. Typically, this involves such large numbers of victims and severe or unique injuries that local medical resources are unable to cope with the sudden surge in demand [2]. Causes include natural disasters, major road traffi c accidents, structural collapse, explosions, military confl ict, civil unrest, and terrorism. The main aim of treatment is to decrease mortality and morbidity for the entire affected population, even at the cost of providing less than routine treatment for any given individual patient [3]. A multidisciplinary team including experts in the fi eld of disaster medicine, emergency physicians, and local response teams must work together with available resources to manage MCEs as effi ciently as possible. Prehospital triage allows identifi cation of victims who are most likely to benefi t from medical intervention and refl ects a key principle of disaster management.