Pulmonary Contusion Flashcards
________ are injuries of the lung parenchyma with hemorrhage and edema without associated laceration.
Pulmonary contusions
True/False
They are the most rare intrathoracic injuries in nonpenetrating chest trauma
False
Most frequent
Pulmonary Contusions occur in approximately____% of patients with significant blunt chest trauma
30-75
Pulmonary contusions typically occur at the _______ and are often associated with other thoracic injuries such as rib fractures and flail chest, although they may occur alone.
site of impact
what is the most common complication of pulmonary contusion?
Pneumonia
Presence of pulmonary contusion is a risk factor for the development of ____________ and long-term disability as well.
acute respiratory distress syndrome
Physical findings of what?
-Significant traumatic mechanism and presence of other associated thoracic and extra thoracic injuries should raise suspicion for pulmonary contusion.
-The most important sign is hypoxia.
(a) The degree of hypoxemia directly correlates with the size of the contusion.
- Large contusions will lead to significant
respiratory distress.
-Dyspnea
-Hemoptysis
-Tachycardia
Pulmonary contusion
True/False
Pulmonary contusion is often silent during the initial trauma evaluation
True
Radiographic findings by CXR may range from patchy interstitial infiltrates to ______.
complete lobar opacification
As a result of ongoing hemorrhage and edema, radiographic evidence of contusion is usually apparent within how many hours of injury.?
6 Hours
You already obtained a CXR
Since the size of the contusion may help predict the clinical course for the patient, what imaging modality may provide additional useful information?
thoracic CT
Dx for Pulmonary Contusion
must consider causes of chest pain and dyspnea
(1) Cardiac
(2) Pulmonary
(3) Trauma
(4) GI
(5) Musculoskeletal
(6) Psych
What is essential to preventing long-term complications of Pulmonary Contusions?
Early recognition and treatment
What is the mainstay of TX for Pulmonary contusion?
supportive care.
-Oxygen
-Chest physiotherapy
Pulmonary contusion if severe what is used?
mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure