Selective common and uncommon imaging manifestations of blunt nonaortic chest trauma: when time is of the essence

Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 2015 Mar-Apr;44(2):155-66. doi: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2014.08.004. Epub 2014 Sep 27.

Abstract

This is a pictorial essay in which we review and illustrate a variety of thoracic injuries related to blunt trauma. Non-aortic blunt thoracic trauma can be divided anatomically into injuries of the chest wall, lungs, pleura, mediastinum, and diaphragm. Some injuries involve more than one anatomic compartment, and multiple injuries commonly coexist. This article provides common imaging findings and discussion of both common and uncommon but critical thoracic injuries encountered.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diaphragm / diagnostic imaging
  • Diaphragm / injuries
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Injury / diagnostic imaging
  • Multiple Trauma / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleura / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleura / injuries
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thoracic Wall / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Wall / injuries
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging*