title: Computed tomography of the chest in the trauma patient.
abstract: Thirty-six (1.5%) of 2340 patients admitted to the Trauma Unit at UCSD Medical Center over a 26-month period had 46 chest CT scans. A retrospective review of these cases showed that CT was useful in the diagnosis and management of suspected post-traumatic infective complications, assessment of suspected sternoclavicular joint dislocation, and localisation of bullet fragments. Other unsuspected abnormalities (pneumothoraces, misplaced endotracheal tube, intraperitoneal air, and axillary vein disruption) were also well demonstrated. However, CT failed to demonstrate some skeletal injuries, in particular, manubriosternal joint dislocation and vertebral fracture. Our experience supports a role for chest CT in certain limited clinical situations following trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, UCSD Medical Center.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013247:Sternoclavicular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging