Let’s face it:  mixing chemicals is dangerous.  Even if you know what you’re doing, there’s always the risk of something going wrong.  So was the case of today’s John Doe:

Clinical History: Chemical explosion (patient mixing chemicals when it exploded)

Technique: DX right hand, 3 views

There is complete comminuted fracture of the base of the first metacarpal with angulated dorsal displacement and intraarticular extension. There is also minimally displaced corner fracture at the ulnar side of the base of the first proximal phalanx also with intraarticular extension. Possible tuft fracture. There are multiple comminuted/shattered phalangeal fractures from the third to the fifth digit with adjacent skin and soft tissue avulsion with some areas of traumatic amputation. Also seen is undisplaced to a slightly displaced fracture of the base of the fourth and fifth proximal phalanx.

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