Chest wall, lung, and pleural space trauma.
Chest radiographs frequently underestimate the severity and extent of chest trauma and, in some cases, fail to detect the presence of injury. CT is more sensitive than chest radiography in the detection of pulmonary, pleural, and osseous abnormalities in the patient who has chest trauma. With the advent of multidetector CT (MDCT), high-quality multiplanar reformations are obtained easily and add to the diagnostic capabilities of MDCT. This article reviews the radiographic and CT findings of chest wall, pleural, and pulmonary injuries that are seen in the patient who has experienced blunt thoracic trauma.
Miller
Lisa A
LA
Department of Radiology, ShockTrauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. lmiller1@umm.edu
D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055370:Lung Injury; D035422:Pleural Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013247:Sternoclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*