Blunt chest trauma: An audit of injuries diagnosed by the MDCT examination

Abstract

Blunt chest trauma is a significant problem affecting predominantly males in their forties and it is usually caused by a motor vehicle accident. In case of pneumomediastinum or mediastinal haematoma, the use of 3D reconstructions is advised for diagnosing possible tracheobronchial ruptures and thoracic aorta injuries. Increased resolution of CT scanners yielded a large number of findings that are occult on radiography, especially in the event of lung parenchymal and pleural injuries. However, none imaging modality can replace surgical judgement.

Sternal fracture in the age of pan-scan

“…Widely available, rapid CT has transformed diagnostic trauma evaluation with many centres adopting routine head-to-pelvis CT (pan-scan) for victims of major trauma [5][6][7][8]. Computed tomography has replaced X-ray as the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of patients with trauma.…”

Forensic characteristics of chest injuries among subjects who died in road traffic accidents

“…Blunt chest trauma (BCT) makes up for 10-15% of all injuries and is identified as the main cause of death in approximately 25% of the subjects, while in approximately another 25% of instances it is the contributing factor of deathly outcomes 2,3 . In RTAs, chest injuries are the most numerous ones and are observed in approximately 60-80% of the instances [4][5][6] , while in terms of causes of death, these injuries are found in approximately 15% of the casualties 3 . The most frequently injured are men in their 40s 5,7 .…”

“…In RTAs, chest injuries are the most numerous ones and are observed in approximately 60-80% of the instances [4][5][6] , while in terms of causes of death, these injuries are found in approximately 15% of the casualties 3 . The most frequently injured are men in their 40s 5,7 .…”

“…RTA injuries to the chest remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In the majority of RTAs, injuries to the chest are combined with trauma of other regions of the body, such being the head or abdomen 5 . Rib fracture is one of the most common BCTs 5,8 .…”

“…A study conducted during the 1973-1988 period in the territory of Serbia concluded that chest injuries were observed in 62% of subjects involved in RTAs 12 . Thirty years later, RTAs remain the most common mechanism of chest injury in the territory of Serbia (approximately 64%) 5 . Nikolić et al demonstrated that chest organ injuries are most frequently concomitant in RTAs, and that there is a high probability that the fatally injured one be the motor vehicle driver, with a number of concomitant injuries of the thoracic aorta, heart and pericardium, as well as with fractured thoracic cage bones 13,14 .…”