Fractured rib with penetrating cardiopulmonary injury.
Described is an unusual injury, arising from a motorized vehicle accident, in which a detached fractured rib from a flail chest caused lung perforation and hemopericardium. The full diagnosis was only appreciated on computed tomography. Therefore, thoracotomy averted potential disaster.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
I F
IF
Galvin
R
R
Costa
M
M
Murton
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005409:Flail Chest / Q000209:etiology; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D055370:Lung Injury; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology*; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*