Penetrating injury from laminated glass--a trap for the unwary

Although the incidence of glass injury following road traffic accidents has been decreasing over the past five decades, the location and source of glass bodies from accidents involving vehicles can prove difficult for the radiologist and surgeon and in medico-legal disputes. This case illustrates the issues with regard to penetrating injuries from different types of glass used in the automotive industry. Shatterproof glass windscreens with a laminated coating have been developed to prevent fragmentation and dispersal. This has led to a significant reduction in glass-related injury. Although laminated glass fitted in front windscreens and in some side windows is designed not to shatter, fragmentation can indeed take place in cases of high impact, resulting in penetrating injury that can be difficult to detect and can lead to injury and morbidity. The attending clinician should therefore consider penetrating injuries in the clinical and radiological assessment of individuals who present after motor vehicle accidents and be aware that laminated glass, although considered to be "safe", can indeed be responsible for penetrating injury. We present a unique case report to illustrate this important point, which may encourage debate in the medical world and motor manufacturing industry.