Trauma

Question 1

What are some features of a tension pneumothorax ?

Answer 1

Often due to laceration of the lung parenchyma with a flap
Pressure develops in the thorax
Hyper-resonant percussion

Symptoms can overlap with cardiac tamponade

Question 2

What are some features of flail chest ?

Answer 2

Chest wall disconnects from thoracic cage
Multiple rib fractures
Associated pulmonary contusion
Abnormal chest movement

Question 3

What are some features of a haemothorax ?

Answer 3

Most commonly due to laceration to the lung, intercostal vessel or internal mammary artery
If large enough to appear on CXR - large bore chest drain
Surgical exploration if more than 1500ml blood drained

Question 4

What is becks triad of cardiac tamponade ?

Answer 4

Elevated venous pressure
Recused arterial pressure
Reduced heart sounds

Question 5

What is the most likely cause of diaphragm disruption ?

Answer 5

Motor vehicle accidents
Blunt trauma causing large radial tears

Question 6

What is Cushing’s reflex in a head injury ?

Answer 6

HTN and bradycardia

Question 7

What causes a diffuse axonal injury ?

Answer 7

Mechanical shearing following deceleration causing disruption and tearing of axons