Hemorrhagic shock from breast blunt trauma.
BACKGROUND
Seat belt use has been associated with decreased life-threatening thoracic injuries. However, there has been an increase in soft-tissue injuries such as breast trauma.


METHODS
We describe a case of a young healthy female who presented to a community hospital Emergency department without any trauma designation following a motor vehicle accident. The patient was found to have hemorrhagic shock from an intramammary hemorrhage and was treated with blood products and a temporizing external abdominal binder in preparation for a transfer to a level 1 center where she was successfully treated with angiographic embolization.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to report on a case hemorrhagic shock from a breast hematoma as well as a review of the literature on previous seat belt associated breast trauma and its management in the emergency department.


CONCLUSIONS
Seat belt associated breast trauma is uncommon in the emergency medicine literature. However, it can be associated with life threatening intramammary bleeding. Emergency physicians should be aware of these injuries and their proper management.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, USA, Madden.Bryan@gmail.com.
Bryan
B
Madden
Mayura
M
Phadtare
Zeina
Z
Ayoub
Ralphe Bou
RB
Chebl