Imaging body armor

• Published in: Military medicine Vol. 167; no. 4; pp. 267 - 271
• Main Authors: HARCKE, H. Theodore, SCHAUER, David A, HARRIS, Robert M, CAMPMAN, Steven C, LONERGAN, Gael J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Association of Military Surgeons 01.04.2002; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Armed forces; Armor; Biological and medical sciences; Composite materials; Extremities - diagnostic imaging; Feasibility Studies; Head - diagnostic imaging; Head Protective Devices; Helmets; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Law enforcement; Medical sciences; Military Personnel; Miscellaneous. Technology; Persian Gulf War; Protective Clothing; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Radiography, Thoracic; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; United States; Somalia; Vietnam; Delaware; United States > US; Human; Radiography; Radiodiagnosis; Medical imagery; Safety clothing; Artefact; Computerized axial tomography; Biological effect; Noisy image
• ISSN: 0026-4075; 1930-613X
• DOI: 10.1093/milmed/167.4.267

This study examined the feasibility of performing radiographic studies on patients wearing standard-issue body armor. The Kevlar helmet, fragmentation vest, demining suit sleeve, and armor plate were studied with plain film and computed tomography in a simulated casualty situation. We found that the military helmet contains metal screws and metal clips in the headband, but diagnostic computed tomographic images can be obtained. Kevlar, the principal component of soft armor, has favorable photon attenuation characteristics. Plate armor of composite material also did not limit radiographic studies. Therefore, when medically advantageous, patients can be examined radiographically while wearing standard military body armor. Civilian emergency rooms should be aware of these observations because law enforcement officers wear similar protective armor.