The pectoralis myogram: A marker of severe chest wall trauma

Abstract

Purpose: Our unique case reports injuries and radiographic findings of a patient with major chest wall trauma: the pectoralis myogram. Results: The patient was a 49 year old male involved in a motor vehicle collision with right sided pneumothorax with loss of lung markings, numerous rib fractures, a comminuted left clavicle fracture, and notable air outlines of what appeared to be the pectoralis major muscles on both sides of the chest wall. His injuries were successfully managed non-surgically in the ICU and then ward with a chest tube, sling, pain control, and physiotherapy despite the major trauma to his forequarter and chest wall. Conclusion: Understanding that this radiographic finding represents injury to lung parenchyma, chest wall musculature and soft tissues, and the bony supporting structures of the chest wall and shoulder girdle can help the clinician judge the severity of injury and anticipate treatment needs.

Keywords

• Pectoralis myogram
• Chest wall trauma
• Shoulder girdle trauma
• Pneumothorax