OBJECTIVE: To explore MSCT optimal examination time for patients with unconspicuous rib fracture. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with thoracic trauma from January 2009 to June 2011 were collected. They were examined by MSCT in the first week after trauma and re-examined during eighth weeks after trauma. The number of rib which had been found fractured in the first examination was compared to that in re-examinations. RESULTS: Patients with fine rib fracture often have different diagnostic results at different examination time after trauma. There was statistical difference between the number in the first week and the third week to the fifth week. CONCLUSION MSCT could show the pathophysiological changes of rib fracture objectively in the stage between the third week and the fifth week after trauma, which is optimal examination time for the fine rib fracture.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Pleura/pathology* ; Radiography, Thoracic/methods* ; Rib Fractures/physiopathology* ; Thoracic Injuries/physiopathology* ; Time Factors ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating/physiopathology* ; Young Adult

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Lymphatic Diseases ; physiopathology ; Lymphoid Tissue ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleura ; physiology ; Pleural Effusion ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; physiopathology

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant soft-tissue neoplasm of unknown histogenesis. The two main sites of occurrence are the lower extremities in adults and the head and neck in children. We report the first case of pleural ASPS occurring in a 58-yr-old man who presented with progressive dyspnea. A computed tomographic scan of the thorax revealed a large enhancing pleural mass with pleural effusion in the left hemithorax. Wide excision of the pleural mass was performed. Histologically, the tumor consisted of organoid nests of large polygonal cells, the cytoplasm of which had eosinophilic and D-PAS positive granules. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor cell nuclei were positive for transcription factor 3 (TFE3). The pleural ASPS with multiple bone metastases recurred 1 yr after surgery and the patient died of acute pulmonary embolism 1.5 yr after diagnosis.
Bone Neoplasms/diagnosis/secondary ; Dyspnea/etiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleura/physiopathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis ; Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Transcription Factor 3/metabolism