title: Chest injuries related to surfing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surfing is a popular sport in coastal areas, which can be associated with chest injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2008 and 2013, 6 patients were referred to our hospital with chest injuries sustained during surfing. Clinical data were collected from their medical records and analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient age ranged from 35 to 52 years. Five of the 6 patients were male. Four patients were injured in August, and the other two were injured in September and October. Rib fractures were observed in 3 of the 6 patients. The other 3 patients were diagnosed with chest contusions only. Hemothorax occurred in one patient. No lacerations were observed in any of the 6 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chest injuries associated with surfing are usually blunt chest injuries; however, they may occasionally be life-threatening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chigasaki Municipal Hospital, Chigasaki, Japan sanoa-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chigasaki Municipal Hospital, Chigasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yotsumoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006491:Hemothorax; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013177:Sports; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis
keywords: Athletic injuries; Hemothorax; Oceans and seas; Rib fractures; Thoracic wall; Wounds; nonpenetrating