COFFEE, TEA, OR FROSTBITE - A CASE-REPORT OF INFLIGHT FREEZING HAZARDFROM DRY ICE

Occupational and recreational cold exposure is fairly well described i n the literature. This is a case report of a passenger on a commercial airline flight who suffered third degree frostbite due to the attempt ed therapeutic use of a cold pack. This cold pack was offered by the f light attendant and consisted of a section of dry ice used for cooling in the galley. The resulting injury consisted of a full thickness col d injury of the left lumbar amounting to approximately 1.5% TBSA (tota l body surface area). The occurrence of third degree frostbite due to a medicinally used ice pack such as this has not been noted in the pas t writings. The resulting injury, care and outcome of such an injury a re described and discussed.