title: Digital radiography of crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the features of crush thoracic trauma in Sichuan earthquake victims using chest digital radiography (CDR).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 772 CDR of 417 females and 355 males who had suffered crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake. Patient age ranged from 0.5 to 103 years. CDR was performed between May 12, 2008 and June 7, 2008. We looked for injury to the thoracic cage, pulmonary parenchyma and the pleura.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antero-posterior (AP) and lateral CDR were obtained in 349 patients, the remaining 423 patients underwent only AP CDR. Thoracic cage fractures, pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries were noted in 331 (42.9%; 95% CI: 39.4%-46.4%), 67 and 135 patients, respectively. Of the 256 patients with rib fractures, the mean number of fractured ribs per patient was 3. Rib fractures were mostly distributed from the 3rd through to the 8th ribs and the vast majority involved posterior and lateral locations along the rib. Rib fractures had a significant positive association with non-rib thoracic fractures, pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries (P < 0.001). The number of rib fractures and pulmonary contusions were significant factors associated with patient death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Earthquake-related crush thoracic trauma has the potential for multiple fractures. The high number of fractured ribs and pulmonary contusions were significant factors which needed appropriate medical treatment.
authors: Zhi-Hui Dong, Heng Shao, Tian-Wu Chen, Zhi-Gang Chu, Wen Deng, Si-Shi Tang, Jing Chen, Zhi-Gang Yang, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors: Zhi-Hui
authors: ZH
authors: Dong
authors: Heng
authors: H
authors: Shao
authors: Tian-Wu
authors: TW
authors: Chen
authors: Zhi-Gang
authors: ZG
authors: Chu
authors: Wen
authors: W
authors: Deng
authors: Si-Shi
authors: SS
authors: Tang
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Zhi-Gang
authors: ZG
authors: Yang