Thoracic trauma: Difference between revisions
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===Inspection=== | ===Inspection=== | ||
*Seat-belt sign indicates possible deceleration or vascular injury | *Seat-belt sign indicates possible deceleration or vascular injury | ||
*Paradoxical wall | *Paradoxical wall movement indicates [[flail chest]] | ||
*Distended neck veins | *Distended neck veins | ||
**[[Pericardial effusion and tamponade|Tamponade]], [[tension pneumothorax]], [[congestive heart failure]] | **[[Pericardial effusion and tamponade|Tamponade]], [[tension pneumothorax]], [[congestive heart failure]] | ||
Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
**Trachea midline or displaced | **Trachea midline or displaced | ||
*Chest wall | *Chest wall | ||
**Localized tenderness or crepitus due to rib fracture or subcutaneous emphysema | **Localized tenderness or crepitus due to [[rib fracture]] or subcutaneous emphysema | ||
*Sternum | *Sternum | ||
**Localized tenderness, crepitus, or mobile segment suggests fracture | **Localized tenderness, crepitus, or mobile segment suggests [[Sternal Fracture|fracture]] | ||
==Differential Diagnosis== | ==Differential Diagnosis== |
Revision as of 18:22, 26 September 2019
Background
- Must determine if injury also traverses the diaphragm (intra-abdominal injury)
- Most deaths in thoracic trauma patients are due to noncardiothoracic injuries
- Excessive PPV can lead to reduced venous return, tension pneumothorax (avoid excess bagging)
- Place central lines on the SAME side as existing injury or pneumothorax (prevent bilateral pneumothorax)
- Hypotensive resuscitation in chest trauma may be beneficial
Clinical Features
Inspection
- Seat-belt sign indicates possible deceleration or vascular injury
- Paradoxical wall movement indicates flail chest
- Distended neck veins
- Swollen face
- SVC compression vs subcutaneous emphysema
Palpation
- Neck
- Trachea midline or displaced
- Chest wall
- Localized tenderness or crepitus due to rib fracture or subcutaneous emphysema
- Sternum
- Localized tenderness, crepitus, or mobile segment suggests fracture
Differential Diagnosis
Thoracic Trauma
- Airway/Pulmonary
- Cardiac/Vascular
- Musculoskeletal
- Other
Evaluation
Imaging
- Ultrasound
- Can diagnosis hemothorax, pneumothorax, tamponade, rib fracture, sternum fracture
- CXR
- Can diagnosis hemothorax, pneumothorax, rib fracture, pulmonary contusion, diaphragmatic rupture
- Frequently underestimates the severity/extent of chest trauma
- CT
- Gold-standard
Nexus chest CT in trauma rule (major injury)
CT if any one of the following:
- Abnormal CXR
- Distracting injury
- Tenderness of:
- Chest wall
- Sternum
- Thoracic spine
- Scapula
Sensitivity
- 99% for major injuries
- 90% for minor injuries
Management
- Treat underlying condition
Disposition
- Asymptomatic thoracic stab wound
- Repeat CXR in 4-6hr; if no delayed pneumothorax seen, patient can be discharged
- Disposition otherwise home, to OR, to ward, or to ICU depending on injuries
Complications
Aspiration
- Common after severe trauma, especially if patient was unconscious at any time
- Radiologic changes may be delayed up to 24hr (consolidation)
- Due to chemical pneumonitis from gastric contents
- No evidence to support prophylactic antibiotics to prevent pulmonary infection
Systemic air embolism
- Patients with penetrating chest wounds who require PPV are at risk
- May lead to dysrhythmias or CVA
- Treatment
- 100% NRB