Bronchial Ruptures after Blunt Trauma in Two Patients: Different Time of Diagnosis and Different Prognosis.
- Author:
Tae Kyung KANG
1
;
Sang Lae LEE
;
Suk Jin CHO
;
Sung Chan OH
;
Hye Jin KIM
;
Seok Yong RYU
;
Mi Jin KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ryuchoi64@paik.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Bronchial rupture;
Blunt chest trauma;
Computed tomography
- MeSH:
Bronchoscopy;
Early Diagnosis;
Emergencies;
Emphysema;
Pneumothorax;
Prognosis;
Pulmonary Atelectasis;
Rupture;
Thorax
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2012;23(2):288-291
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Bronchial injury due to blunt trauma is often associated with other significant injuries; as a result, making a rapid diagnosis can be difficult. Delay of early diagnosis and surgical treatment can result in a fatal course, including persistent pneumothorax, soft tissue emphysema, lung collapse, recurrent infection, or death. Bronchoscopy remains a reliable diagnostic method; however, it is difficult to perform in the emergency department. In some cases, suspicion of emergency physicians, depending on findings observed on computed tomography scan, can be more helpful than bronchoscopy. In this article, we present two cases of bronchial injury after blunt chest trauma; differences in prognosis were dependent on the time taken to make a decision.
