THE ROLE OF RADIOLOGY IN THE OKLAHOMA-CITY BOMBING

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of radiologic services in the assessment of injuries and identification of deceased victims of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla. MATERIAL S AND METHODS: In cooperation with the Oklahoma University Health Scie nces Center Disaster Studies Group, all victims of the Oklahoma City b ombing who were treated in hospitals were evaluated. All radiologic st udies performed in these patients during a 4-week period after the bom bing were recorded. Major injuries incurred by the victims were noted but were not documented. In addition, assistance provided by radiologi c services to the medical examiner's office for identification of dece ased victims was assessed. RESULTS: On the day of the bombing, 99% (48 0 of 485) of the imaging studies performed were either plain radiograp hy, primarily of the extremities and chest, or computed tomography (CT ), half of which were of the head. Six deceased victims were identifie d solely by means of characteristics on radiographs. CONCLUSION: Almos t all bombing-related radiologic studies were either plain radiography or CT. Other modalities had only limited roles. In deceased victims, plain radiography aided identification, and in many other victims it a llowed localization of materials that were potential pieces of evidenc e.