Presentation
Post RTA with blunt trauma complaining of dysponea.
Patient Data
Extrapulmonary air is seen in the following anatomic locations, including soft-tissue emphysema in the neck, chest, and abdominal wall, pneumomediastinum, minimal right pneumothorax, and pneumopericardium and paratracheal air.
Extrapulmonary air in direct contact with the defect in the tracheal wall at left-sided at the cartilage-membranous junction just above the carina is seen in coronal images.
Left lower lobe lung contusion and left pleural fluid collection, no rib fracture or other abnormality detectable.
Case Discussion
Identification of tracheobronchial injury at imaging can be critical to help guide decisions on intubation, ventilation and further surgical or conservative treatment. It plays an integral part in preventing further airway and ventilation deterioration. The ultimate goals of early identification of tracheobronchial injury at imaging are to prompt appropriate treatment to secure the airway and to reduce the risk of complications. Conservative management is encouraged for a spontaneously breathing or stable patient on noninvasive ventilation. Surgical repair is mandatory when mechanical ventilation is required or when bridging of the injury is impossible.
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