Blunt nonaortic chest trauma: radiographic and CT findings.
Following initial clinical evaluation and stabilization of a patient who has sustained blunt chest trauma, imaging has an important role in the evaluation of thoracic injuries. The initial study is the chest radiograph. However, chest CT is being used with increased frequency in the evaluation of blunt chest trauma. Although CT is used primarily to assess for traumatic aortic injuries, it is also useful in the evaluation of pulmonary and bronchial, airway, skeletal and diaphragmatic injury. The aim of this article is to review the characteristic imaging findings of pulmonary and bronchial, esophageal, thoracic, skeletal and diaphragmatic injuries.
Primack
Steven  L
S
Department of Radiology, L340, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA. primacks@ohsu.edu
Collins
Jannette
J