Left 2nd rib fracture and acromioclavicular joint injury (chest x-ray)

Case contributed by Henry Knipe

Presentation

Mountain bike fall.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male

Displaced left 2nd rib fracture. Subpleural opacity at the left lung apex, probably extrapleural hematoma in the context of rib fracture. No pneumothorax. Elevation of the distal left clavicle.

Asymmetric widening of the left acromioclavicular joint with mild elevation of the distal clavicle but not beyond the superior border of the acromion (Rockwood type 2 injury). Left 2nd rib fracture and subpleural opacity, probably representing extrapleural hematoma.

Case Discussion

Interrogating all parts of the image is important - there are peripheral injuries on both the chest x-ray and the shoulder x-ray, which could be easily missed with a satisfaction of search error.

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