Rib fractures

Case contributed by Abdulmajid Bawazeer
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Direct trauma to the right chest wall accompanied by pain while breathing.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male
ultrasound

There are multiple anterolateral (5th, 6th, and 7th) ribs wall cortical disruption with a mild displacement more evident in the 7th rib with overlying small hematoma.

x-ray

There are multiple rib fractures involving the anterolateral aspect of right 5th, 6th and 7th ribs.

Annotated image

There are multiple anterolateral (5th, 6th, and 7th) ribs wall cortical disruption with a mild displacement more evident in the 7th rib with overlying small hematoma.

Annotated image

There are multiple rib fractures involving the anterolateral aspect of right 5th, 6th and 7th ribs.

Case Discussion

A FAST scan was performed and the patient pointed the maximam area of tenderness over the right chest wall and the fractured ribs were demonstrated. Then a radiograph was obtained for confirmation, to evaluate other ribs and other complications thoroughly. The history and site of pain will help in diagnosing rib fractures if ultrasound is the only modality available.

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