Trauma chest x-ray with rib fractures and subcutaneous emphysema

Case contributed by Andrew Dixon
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Motor vehicle accident.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Female

Multiple bilateral rib fractures seen laterally and right subcutaneous emphysema including gas tracking in the right pectoralis muscle. Bilateral intercostal catheters have been inserted. The patient is intubated with the endotracheal tube tip almost at the level of the carina. This should be pulled back a few centimeters for ideal positioning. While the superior mediastinum appears widened and the aortic knuckle is poorly seen this does not necessarily imply mediastinal hematoma as the patient is supine and significantly rotated. There is however the suggestion of left apical pleural capping which can be a feature of aortic injury. Subsequent CT revealed a normal mediastinum and small volume extra-pleural hematoma at the lung apices due to first rib fractures.  

Case Discussion

Typical trauma room chest x-ray with bilateral chest tubes already in position and an endotracheal tube which is slightly too low. There are right sided rib fractures and right sided subcutaneous emphysema. Left apical pleural capping was due to first rib fracture and not aortic injury.    

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