Document Detail


Diagnostic imaging of pelvic and chest wall trauma.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  2772163     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Imaging of patients with pelvic trauma begins with a logical approach to plain radiographs. These films reveal the probable mechanism of injury and suggest a rationale for emergent reduction. Radiographs, along with the clinical impression, suggest the likelihood of associated soft tissue injury, possibly requiring further specific radiographic studies. Significant vascular injury most often accompanies disruption of the posterior pelvic ring. Bladder and urethral trauma may be suspected in any displaced type III pelvic fracture with suggestive clinical signs. Ideally, urethrography precedes bladder catheterization. Acetabular fractures must be recognized because of their implications for future hip joint function. CT is very helpful in definitive treatment planning of pelvic (especially acetabular) fractures but may be delayed until other life-threatening injuries have been addressed. Plain radiography is also well suited to evaluation of chest wall trauma. When multiple ribs are fractured in two places, the radiologist should suggest the possibility of flail chest. Sternal fractures and multiple rib fractures, including the first three ribs, may herald life-threatening vascular or cardiac damage. To summarize, the radiologist contributes most to the care of the trauma patient by recognizing roentgen patterns of injury, knowing which are commonly accompanied by damage to critical soft tissues, and performing the indicated radiographic studies efficiently.
Authors:
M M Heare; T C Heare; T Gillespy
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Radiologic clinics of North America     Volume:  27     ISSN:  0033-8389     ISO Abbreviation:  Radiol. Clin. North Am.     Publication Date:  1989 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1989-10-12     Completed Date:  1989-10-12     Revised Date:  2005-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0123703     Medline TA:  Radiol Clin North Am     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  873-89     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acetabulum / injuries,  radiography
Dislocations / radiography
Fractures, Bone / radiography
Humans
Pelvic Bones / injuries,  radiography
Pelvis / injuries*,  radiography
Rib Fractures / radiography
Sternoclavicular Joint / injuries,  radiography
Sternum / injuries
Thoracic Injuries / radiography*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Urogenital System / injuries

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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