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pulmonary contusion
Pathology:
- injury to lung parenchyma, leading to edema & hemorrhage into alveolar spaces with loss of pulmonary function
Clinical manifestations:
- chest pain, hypoxemia, hemoptysis
- signs of chest wall trauma such as bruising, rib fractures or flail chest
- manifestations generally resolve in 3-5 days
Laboratory:
- pulse oximtery
- arterial blood gas
Radiology:
- chest X-ray
- computed tomography of the thorax
Complications:
- large contusions may compromise gas exchange & result in hypoxia over 24-48 hours
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- pneumonia
- respiratory failure
Management:
- treatment is supportive
- maintain euvolemia
- most pulmonary contusions require no specific therapy
- oxygen for hypoxia
- endotracheal intubation & mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure
General
contusion (bruise)
lung disease
References
- Chest Trauma: Pulmonary Contusion
http://www.trauma.org/archive/thoracic/CHESTcontusion.html
- Raghavendran K et al
Lung contusion: inflammatory mechanisms and interaction with
other injuries.
Shock. 2009 Aug;32(2):122-30. Review.
PMID: 19174738