title: Nonvascular mediastinal trauma.
abstract: This article discusses the radiologic and clinical features of nonvascular mediastinal trauma, and focuses on the tracheobronchial tree, the esophagus, and the thoracic duct. Blunt chest and penetrating trauma account for most of the causes of such nonvascular injuries, but iatrogenic and inhalation injuries are other well-known causes. The injury distribution and clinical manifestations are different for each structure. In our combined experience at a level 1 trauma center, the overall prevalence of injury in each organ is low compared with vascular injuries. As such, and given the frequent nonspecific nature of clinical signs and symptoms of nonvascular mediastinal injuries, the diagnosis often is delayed and results in poor treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Harborview Medical Center, Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA.
authors.forename: Juntima
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Euathrongchit
authors.forename: Nisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thoongsuwan
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stern
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries; D001995:Bronchography; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging