CT diagnosis of severe chest trauma in 16 cases

Objective To investigate the value of CT examination on the severe chest trauma in medical institutions at county levels.Methods 16 cases with severe chest trauma were undergone chest spiral CT scan with GE Hispeed dual double spiral CT in 10 mm thickness and interval.Some lesions were observed and analyzed by post-reconstruction.Results 16 cases were suffered from severe chest trauma,including pulmonary contusion in 10 cases,pulmonary laceration in 2,bronchial rupture in 1,atelectasis in 2,lung collapse in 10,hemopncumothorax in 8,pneumothorax in 3,hemothorax in 5,rib fractures in 16,bilateral clavicle fractures in 2,unilateral clavicle fractures in 3,1 case with vertebral burstfracture(T3,T4) accompanied with vertebral lateral dislocation and multiple rib comminuted fractures,scapula fracture in 3,subcutaneous emphysema in 16,mediastinal emphysema in 4,hematoma of chest wall in 1.Conclusion The CT scan can provide more diagnostic information than ordinary X-ray examination.With the popularity of spiral CT and charge reduction in county hospitals,the patients with severe chest trauma should be timely performed CT scan to get a clear diagnosis in site,nature and extent of lesions,so as to carry out surgery to save the lives of critical patients.