Thoracic Trauma: Management of Tension Pneumothorax, Rib Fracture, Pulmonary Contusion

The thoracic injury involves injury which occurs in the thoracic region of the body. The spectrum of manifestation can vary widely—from simple rib fracture to life threatening tension pneumothorax. In addition, the thorax encompasses the important organs of the body, such as the lungs and heart which may also be injured. There is a variability in the clinical manifestation based on the nature of injury, namely blunt and stab injury. The causes of the injury are most commonly motor vehicle accidents, fall in an elderly and assault. The radiographic techniques such as chest X-ray and CT scan aid in the diagnosis of the thoracic injury and its sub-clinical variety.