Traumatic asphyxia: Difference between revisions

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*Chest Xray
*Chest Xray
**although often little diagnostic yield<ref>Cook AD, Klein JS, Rogers FB, et al. Chest radiographs of limited utility in the diagnosis of blunt traumatic aortic laceration. J Trauma. May 2001;50(5):843-7</ref
**although often little diagnostic yield<ref>Cook AD, Klein JS, Rogers FB, et al. Chest radiographs of limited utility in the diagnosis of blunt traumatic aortic laceration. J Trauma. May 2001;50(5):843-7</ref
**used to assess for gross [[Pneumothorax]], [[Rib fracture]], or mediastinal widening concerning for [[Aortic Dissection]]
**used to assess for gross [[Pneumothorax]], [[Rib fracture]], or mediastinal widening concerning for [[Aortic Dissection]] or [[Pulmonary Contusion]]
*CT with IV contrast for better assessment of lung and vasculature
*CT with IV contrast for better assessment of lung and vasculature
==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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[[Category:Pulm]]
[[Category:Pulm]]
[[Category:Trauma]]
[[Category:Trauma]]
==Sources==

Revision as of 16:30, 7 December 2014

Background

  • Normally a result of blunt chest trauma from an MVA [1]

Signs and Symptoms

  • Chest wall bruising or significan tmechanism consistent with thoracic trauma (i.e. seatbelt sign, steering wheel deformity, airb deployment)
  • Arrhythmia

Prehospital

  • Maintain adequate oxygenation > 92%
  • Maintain blood pressure with small fluid boluses if necessary (250cc boluses)
  • Assess for tension pneumothorax if patient hypoxic or hypotensive
  • Prepare for Advanced Airway if patient persistently hypoxic, unable to maintain airway, or has an anticipated poor clinical course

Workup

  • Chest Xray
    • although often little diagnostic yield<ref>Cook AD, Klein JS, Rogers FB, et al. Chest radiographs of limited utility in the diagnosis of blunt traumatic aortic laceration. J Trauma. May 2001;50(5):843-7</ref
    • used to assess for gross Pneumothorax, Rib fracture, or mediastinal widening concerning for Aortic Dissection or Pulmonary Contusion
  • CT with IV contrast for better assessment of lung and vasculature

Differential Diagnosis

Thoracic Trauma

See Also

Thoracic Trauma Cardiac Contusion

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accidents or unintentional injuries. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm