title: Blunt diaphragmatic lesions: Imaging findings and pitfalls.
abstract: Blunt diaphragmatic lesions (BDL) are uncommon in trauma patients, but they should be promptly recognized as a delayed diagnosis increases morbidity and mortality. It is well known that BDL are often overlooked at initial imaging, mainly because of distracting injuries to other organs. Sonography may directly depict BDL only in a minor number of cases. Chest X-ray has low sensitivity in detecting BDL and lesions can be reliably suspected only in case of intra-thoracic herniation of abdominal viscera. Thanks to its wide availability, time-effectiveness and spatial resolution, multi-detector computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing BDL; several direct and indirect CT signs are associated with BDL. Given its high tissue contrast resolution, magnetic resonance imaging can accurately depict BDL, but its use in an emergency setting is limited because of longer acquisition times and need for patient's collaboration.
authors.affiliation: Matteo Bonatti, Norberto Vezzali, Giampietro Bonatti, Department of Radiology, Bolzano Central Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonatti
authors.affiliation: Matteo Bonatti, Norberto Vezzali, Giampietro Bonatti, Department of Radiology, Bolzano Central Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.affiliation: Matteo Bonatti, Norberto Vezzali, Giampietro Bonatti, Department of Radiology, Bolzano Central Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Norberto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vezzali
authors.affiliation: Matteo Bonatti, Norberto Vezzali, Giampietro Bonatti, Department of Radiology, Bolzano Central Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Zamboni
authors.affiliation: Matteo Bonatti, Norberto Vezzali, Giampietro Bonatti, Department of Radiology, Bolzano Central Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampietro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonatti
keywords: Blunt injury; Computed tomography; Diaphragm; Imaging; Trauma