Role of volume rendered 3-D computed tomography in conservative management of trauma-related thoracic injuries.
OʼLeary, Donal Peter Soo, Alan McLaughlin, Patrick Aherne, Thomas
OʼLeary, Donal Peter
Soo, Alan
McLaughlin, Patrick
Aherne, Thomas
Advisors
Editors
Other Contributors
Date
2012-09
Date Submitted
Keywords
Other Subjects
Subject Mesh
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Sternotomy
Thoracic Injuries
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Sternotomy
Thoracic Injuries
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Planned Date
Start Date
Collaborators
Principal Investigators
Alternative Titles
Publisher
Abstract
Pneumatic nail guns are a tool used commonly in the construction industry and are widely available. Accidental injuries from nail guns are common, and several cases of suicide using a nail gun have been reported. Computed tomographic (CT) imaging, together with echocardiography, has been shown to be the gold standard for investigation of these cases. We present a case of a 55-year-old man who presented to the accident and emergency unit of a community hospital following an accidental pneumatic nail gun injury to his thorax. Volume-rendered CT of the thorax allowed an accurate assessment of the thoracic injuries sustained by this patient. As there was no evidence of any acute life-threatening injury, a sternotomy was avoided and the patient was observed closely until discharge. In conclusion, volume-rendered 3-dimensional CT can greatly help in the decision to avoid an unnecessary sternotomy in patients with a thoracic nail gun injury.
Language
en
ISSN
1536-0237
eISSN
ISBN
DOI
10.1097/RTI.0b013e31821bdaa0
PMID
21772220