No abstract available.
Immobilization* ; Rib Fractures* ; Ribs*

Humans ; Rib Fractures ; Thoracic Injuries

OBJECTIVE: to determine the frequency of the multiple consecutive rib fracture after blunt chest trauma. DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all the radiographs and medical charts of 87 patients with rib fractures after blunt chest trauma. Rib fractures were divided into single aud multiple. The multiple rib fractures were subclassified as consecutive, interrupted continuous, or random. RESULTS: Thirteen cases of single and 83 cases of multiple rib fractures were present. Among the 83 cases of multiple fractures, there were 73 cases (88%) of consecutive fractures, 5 cases (6%) of interrupted continuous fractures and 5 cases (6%) of random fractures. CONCLUSION: Among the multiple rib fractures consecutive rib fractrues are much more common than noncontiguous rib fractures. We recommend that if one find an apparently nonfractured rib between contiguously fractured upper and lower ribs, one should meticulously search for possible fracture of an apparently normal rib with high-index of suspicion.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures* ; Ribs* ; Thorax*

BACKGROUND: In trauma patients, bony thorax are exposured to the trauma in many cases. With simple x-ray, we can not detect all definitive bony abnormalities, especially in less severe cases. Bone scan is very sensitive diagnostic method in such cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We experienced 680 cases and results were as follows. RESULTS: 1. Diagnostic sensitivity was 97.4% and false negative rate was 2.6%. 2. In sensitivity study, the time factor (when we perform bone scan) was the most important thing according to trauma pattern. In rib fracture, sensitive test time was after 1 week. In sternal fracture, sensitive test time was after 1 week, too. In costochondral junction fracture and combined cases, it was after 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend timely using of bone scan as definitive diagnostic method in bony thorax trauma patients.
Humans ; Rib Fractures ; Thorax* ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVES: This paper proposes a measurement method to quantify the abnormal characteristics of the broken parts of ribs using local texture and shape features in chest radiographs. METHODS: Our measurement method comprises two steps: a measurement area assignment and sampling step using a spline curve and sampling lines orthogonal to the spline curve, and a fracture-ness measurement step with three measures, asymmetry and gray-level co-occurrence matrix based measures (contrast and homogeneity). They were designed to quantify the regional shape and texture features of ribs along the centerline. The discriminating ability of our method was evaluated through region of interest (ROI) analysis and rib fracture classification test using support vector machine. RESULTS: The statistically significant difference was found between the measured values from fracture and normal ROIs; asymmetry (p < 0.0001), contrast (p < 0.001), and homogeneity (p = 0.022). The rib fracture classifier, trained with the measured values in ROI analysis, detected every rib fracture from chest radiographs used for ROI analysis, but it also classified some unbroken parts of ribs as abnormal parts (8 to 17 line sets; length of each line set, 2.998 +/- 2.652 mm; length of centerlines, 131.067 +/- 29.460 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Our measurement method, which includes a flexible measurement technique for the curved shape of ribs and the proposed shape and texture measures, could discriminate the suspicious regions of ribs for possible rib fractures in chest radiographs.
Decision Support Techniques ; Rib Fractures ; Ribs ; Thorax

Subclavian artery occlusion after blunt trauma is an extremely rare injury. This has been attributed to its wellprotected location deep in the scalene triangle, bounded by the first rib and clavicle. A case of post-traumatic occlusion of the subclavian artery with clavicle fracture was reported by Sodhi et al in 2006 and in Korea was reported by Han et al in 2001. We believe that is the first report of post-traumatic occlusion of the subclavian artery without clavicle and first rib fracture in Korea.
Clavicle ; Korea ; Rib Fractures ; Ribs ; Subclavian Artery ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical results of kyphoplasty between osteoporotic patients with compression fractures and rib hot uptake on bone scan and patients without rib hot uptake. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The incidence of osteoporotic rib fractures is 0.3% in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2005 and July 2006, 72 kyphoplasties for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were performed, and all patients had a bone scan study. On bone scan study, 41 patients (57.7%) had hot uptake in their ribs. Results were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The incidence of hot uptake was 67.8% in thoracic fractures, 40.0% in lumbar fractures, and 72.7% in thoracolumbar fractures. Hot uptake was significantly more common with thoracic and thoracolumbar fractures than with lumbar fractures (p<0.05). The incidence of hot uptake was 49.1% in one- and two-level fractures and 84.6% in over three-level fractures. This finding demonstrated significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05). The mean VAS scores for all cases were 8.2/3.4/3.2 at preoperative/immediate postoperative/after 3 months, respectively. In thoracic fractures, they were 8.2/3.9/3.1; lumbar fractures 8.0/3.2/3.1; and thoracolumbar fractures 8.3/3.7/3.0, respectively. The immediate postoperative VAS score in lumbar fractures was better than in thoracic fractures (p<0.05). The VAS scores in thoracic fractures with hot uptake were 8.3/4.1/3, and those without hot uptake were 7.8/2.8/3.0. The immediate VAS score in thoracic fractures without hot uptake was better than in those with hot uptake (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic and multiple osteoporotic compression fractures are often accompanied by rib fractures. Bone scan is a useful tool to detect rib fractures and predict the prognosis of kyphoplasty.
Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphoplasty ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures ; Ribs

PURPOSE: Rib fractures are the most common injuries resulting from blunt chest trauma. The sensitivity of conventional chest radiography (chest PA, rib series) in showing a rib fracture is limited, particularly in those involving the cartilage part of the rib. We investigated the possible rib fractures. We used ultrasonography (US) to investigate possible rib fractures in patients with minor blunt chest trauma who showed no evidence of a rib fracture on the conventional chest radiography. METHODS: A total of 96 patients with minor blunt chest trauma and showing no evidence of a rib fracture on the conventional chest radiography were examined with US performed with a 7.5-MHz linear transducer. RESULTS: A total of 44(45.8%) patients showed a rib fracture whereas 52(54.2%) patients had no evidence of a rib fracture. Fracture of the rib with displacement 24 patients was the most common finding. CONCLUSIONS: Rib US is a useful imaging method in showing rib fractures overlooked on chest X-rays in cases of minor blunt chest trauma. Compared with conventional chest radiography, rib US takes a shorter time and is not difficult. Additionally, lesions combined with rib fractures and costal cartilage fractures are diagnosed more easily when using rib US.
Cartilage ; Fractures, Cartilage ; Humans ; Radiography ; Rib Fractures* ; Ribs* ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thorax ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*

The introduction of Multidetector-row CT (MDCT) has revolutionized the diagnostic strategy of multitrauma patients. The rapid acquisition of a large scanning volume with a thin slice collimation allows for motion-free images of high spatial resolution, and this enables the application of the multiplanar reformat (MPR) and 3D volume-rendering (VR) images. The MPR images more accurately demonstrate aortic rupture or dissection, diaphragmatic injuries and fracture of vertebrae, sternum and costal cartilages. Diagnosing vascular injuries can be aided by using the MIP images. Rib fracture, trachea and bronchial laceration are more easily detected by the 3D images, while airway and vascular injuries can be detected from performing virtual endoscopy. We introduce our current CT imaging protocol and we present our clinical experience with using MDCT in the assessment of patients with blunt thoracic trauma
Aortic Rupture ; Cartilage ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Rib Fractures ; Spine ; Sternum ; Thoracic Injuries* ; Trachea ; Vascular System Injuries

PURPOSE: Rib fracture is a common injury seen in traumatized patients. It can be frequently correlated with concomitant AOI (abdominal organ injury). This study was designed to assess the factors increasing the risk of concomitant AOI. METHOD: We reviewed retrospectively the medical charts of 166 rib-fracture blunt-trauma patients. Data were collected on age, sex, the vectors of injury, the rib-fracture location, the presence of a pneumothorax or a hemothorax, and the presence injury to the abdominal organs. RESULT: The total number of AOI cases correlated with rib fractures was 36 (21.7%). The most frequently injured organ was the liver (13 cases). The probability of AOI increased with the presence of any low-rib fracture. Also, the probability of splenic injury increased with the presence of left-sided rib fracture. There was no difference in the incidence of AOI-correlated pneumo- or hemothorax. CONCLUSION: Low-rib fracture increases the risk of AOI as were taught traditionally. The most commonly injured organ was the liver. Injury to the spleen was correlated with the location of the fracture, especially the left side.
Abdominal Injuries ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Pneumothorax ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures* ; Ribs* ; Spleen