What is thorax trauma?

What is thorax trauma?

Thoracic trauma is broadly categorized by mechanism into blunt or penetrating trauma. The most common cause of blunt chest trauma is motor vehicle collisions (MVC) which account for up to 80% of injuries. Other causes include falls, vehicles striking pedestrians, acts of violence, and blast injuries.

What is the most common complication after thoracic injury?

Abstract. Although there are a wide range of complications following thoracic trauma, respiratory failure, pneumonia, and pleural sepsis are the most common potentially preventable problems. Respiratory failure and pneumonia are directly related to the severity of the injury and the age and condition of the patient.

Where is the thorax?

The area of the body between the neck and the abdomen. The thorax contains vital organs, including the heart, major blood vessels, and lungs. It is supported by the ribs, breastbone, and spine. A thin muscle called the diaphragm separates the thorax from the abdomen.

What are the various types of thoracic injuries?

Results are usually diagnostic of certain injuries (eg, pneumothorax, hemothorax, moderate or severe pulmonary contusion, clavicle fracture, some rib fractures) and suggestive for others (eg, aortic disruption, diaphragmatic rupture). However, findings may evolve over hours (eg, in pulmonary contusion.

What is the most common medical intervention required for patients with thoracic trauma?

Emergency resuscitation, preferential diagnosis, basic interventions (such as thoracentesis or catheter/tube thoracotomy) and effective treatment are the necessary interventions for patients presenting with a trauma.

What organs are in the thorax?

[2] The thoracic cavity contains organs and tissues that function in the respiratory (lungs, bronchi, trachea, pleura), cardiovascular (heart, pericardium, great vessels, lymphatics), nervous (vagus nerve, sympathetic chain, phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve), immune (thymus) and digestive (esophagus) systems.

What’s the function of thorax?

It provides a base for the muscle attachment of the upper extremities, the head and neck, the vertebral column, and the pelvis. The thorax also provides protection for the heart, lungs, and viscera.

What’s the 6 immediate life threats in chest trauma?

The Lethal Six (airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, open pneumothorax, massive hemothorax, and flail chest) are immediate, life-threatening injuries that require evaluation and treatment during primary survey.

What is the function of the thorax?

What is treatment for chest trauma?

Management of chest trauma can be divided into three distinct levels of care; pre-hospital trauma life support, in-hospital or emergency room trauma life support and surgical trauma life support. At each level of care recognition of thoracic injury is crucial for the later outcome.

What does a CT scan of thorax show?

A CT scan of the chest can help find problems such as infection, lung cancer, blocked blood flow in the lung (pulmonary embolism), and other lung problems. It also can be used to see if cancer has spread into the chest from another area of the body. A low-dose CT scan is a different type of chest CT scan.

What is the main concern of thorax?

INTRODUCTION. The bony thorax has the primary function of protecting the organs of circulation and respiration. Some protection is also given to the liver and stomach. In addition, the muscles of respiration attach to the bony thorax and the ribs are mechanically involved in the mechanism of respiration.

Is thorax the same as chest?

The thorax is also called the chest and contains the main organs of respiration and circulation. The heart through its main artery, the aorta, pumps oxygenated blood to all parts of the body.

How serious is a thoracic fracture?

Fracture-dislocations of the thoracic and lumbar spine are caused by very high-energy trauma. They can be extremely unstable injuries that often result in serious spinal cord or nerve damage. These injuries require stabilization through surgery. The ideal timing of surgery can often be complicated.