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rib fracture

Etiology: 1) trauma 2) cough [1] 3) see bone fracture Laboratory: - pulse oximetry for saO2 Radiology: 1) chest X-ray (evaluate for pneumothorax) - chest X-ray misses 2/3 of rib fractures [2] 2) CT scan Complications: - 20% of elderly readmitted within 3 months [3] - pneumothorax, hydropneumothorax, hemothorax - sepsis, pneumonia, respiratory failure [3] - complications from cardiovascular comorbidities - splenic rupture Management: 1) supportive a) pain management b) avoid trauma 2) evaluate contributing factors

General

bone fracture

References

  1. Journal Watch 25(17):138, 2005 Hanak V, Hartman TE, Ryu JH. Cough-induced rib fractures. Mayo Clin Proc. 2005 Jul;80(7):879-82. PMID: 16007893
  2. Murphy CE IV et al. Rib fracture diagnosis in the panscan era. Ann Emerg Med 2017 May 27; PMID: 28559032
  3. Choi J et al. The burden of readmissions after rib fractures among older adults. Surgery 2024 Sep; 176:955. PMID: 38880698 https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(24)00321-0/abstract