Torsion of the lung causing refractory hypoxemia.
Torsion of the lung is an unusual and potentially fatal cause of hypoxemia following blunt chest trauma. It must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any trauma patient whose pulmonary picture does not improve following intubation, chest tube placement, and/or bronchoscopy. Immediate thoracotomy is the definitive treatment.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D003288:Contusions / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D014102:Torsion Abnormality; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*