Thoracic CT findings at hypovolemic shock.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and discuss the thoracic CT features of hypovolemic shock.


METHODS
From a group of 18 patients with signs of hypovolemia on contrast-enhanced abdominal CT, 11 were selected for our study as having also undergone a complete chest examination. Pulse rate, blood pressure, trauma score value, Glasgow coma scale value, surgical result, and final outcome were retrospectively evaluated. The CT features analyzed were: decreased cardiac volume, reduced caliber of the thoracic aorta, aortic branches and caval venous system, increased enhancement of the aorta, and increased enhancement of the pulmonary collapses/contusions.


RESULTS
All 11 subjects presented severe injuries and hemodynamic instability; 7 were stable enough to undergo surgery; only 1 of the 11 survived. Two patients showed none of the features of thoracic hypovolemia. All the other patients presented at least two signs: reduced caliber of the thoracic aorta in 7 cases; decreased volume of the cardiac chambers and increased aortic enhancement in 6; decreased caliber of the aortic vessels in 4; decreased caliber of the caval veins in 3; and increased enhancement of the pulmonary collapses/contusions in 3.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with hypovolemia, CT may show several thoracic findings in addition to abdominal ones. Knowledge of these features is important for distinguishing them from traumatic injuries.
Department of Radiology, University of Bari, Italy.
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A
Rotondo
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Catalano
R
R
Grassi
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Scialpi
G
G
Angelelli
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012769:Shock / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging