Computational modelling of lung injury: is there potential for benefit?

State-of-the-art medical care of the victims of current conflicts is generating large quantities of quality clinical data as a by-product. Observational research based on these data is beginning to have a profound influence on the clinical management of both military and civilian trauma patients. Computational modelling based on these datasets may offer the ability to investigate clinical treatment strategies that are practically, ethically or scientifically impossible to investigate on the front line. This article reviews the potential of this novel technology to aid development of treatment for blast lung and other unresolved medical scenarios.