Presentation
MVA. Car vs pole.
Patient Data
Age: 85
Gender: Female
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Axial non-contrast

Brain
- No acute intracranial pathology
C-Spine
- Undisplaced fracture through the tip of the left C7 transverse process.
- Hematoma and stranding on the left side of the neck superficial to sternocleidomastoid and tracking deeply, anterior to the scalene muscles.
- Multilevel degenerative changes. Grade 1 (2 mm) anterolisthesis of C7 on T1.
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Axial C+ arterial phase

Chest
- Moderate left hemopneumothorax.
- Left lung contusions.
- Traumatic left hemidiaphragm rupture with herniation of mesenteric fat and large and small bowel into the left hemithorax.
- Non-displaced fracture of the manubrium, extending more to the left, with associated anterior mediastinal hematoma.
- There is a small gas locule in the right side of the posterior mediastinum and a small locule of left-sided retrocrural gas. No definite esophageal injury identified.
- Soft tissue stranding in the lateral aspect of the right breast is likely due to hematoma/contusion.
- Multiple right-sided anterolateral rib fractures: 2-7th ribs.
- Multiple left-sided rib fractures: 1st rib posteriorly, 2nd and 3rd ribs anteriorly and 6th-10th ribs laterally. There is marked displacement of the inferior rib fractures with herniation of small and large bowel into the left lateral thoracic and abdominal wall.
Abdomen/Pelvis:
- Large volume of free intraperitoneal gas.
- Splenic flexure perforation.
- Defect in the left lateral abdominal wall with herniation small and large bowel into the left lateral thoracic and abdominal wall.
- Small splenic laceration (AAST Grade I).
- Very small volume of free intraperitoneal fluid.
- Left lower anterior abdominal wall contusion (seat-belt sign) with contrast blush and left rectus hematoma with foci of active bleeding. Right linear semilunaris blush.
- Collapsed IVC consistent with hypovolemia.
Thoracic spine:
- Non-displaced avulsion fracture of the left transverse process of T12.
Lumbar spine:
- Compression fracture of the superior endplate of L3 associated with 40% loss of vertebral body height.
- Compression fracture of the superior endplate of L4 with minimal displacement or loss of height.
- Left L1 and L2 transverse process fractures.
Incidental findings:
- Grade 1 (4 mm) anterolisthesis of L4 on L5.
- Incompletely imaged 15 mm right lobe of thyroid nodule.
Case Discussion
Diaphragmatic injury can result from blunt or penetrating trauma. It can be a difficult diagnosis to make (not in this case) and is often missed. It is associated with other life threatening injuries in 44-100% of cases 1. With left sided diaphragmatic injury, splenic injuries are the most common associated injury, whilst with right sided injuries, the liver is most commonly injured 1.