Blunt traumatic rupture of a mainstem bronchus: spiral CT demonstration of the "fallen lung" sign.
Tracheo-bronchial injuries occur in less than 1 % of blunt chest trauma patients. Indirect signs, such as pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and/or subcutaneous emphysema, are revealed on admission plain films and chest CT survey. In most instances, however, tracheobronchoscopy is mandatory in assessing the definite diagnosis of tracheo-bronchial lesion. Occasionally, an abnormal course of a mainstem bronchus or a "fallen lung" sign, featuring a collapsed lung in a dependent position, hanging on the hilum only by its vascular attachments, may allow for CT diagnosis of a blunt traumatic bronchial injury.
Wintermark
M
M
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Schnyder
P
P
Wicky
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries*; D001995:Bronchography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012421:Rupture; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*