Posttraumatic Pleural Empiema (PtPE) and Multidetector CT (Mdct) Findings.

Abstract

Background: PTPE is a significant complication and te main cause for 2–10% of victims. MDCT is increasingly used. Our study is an analysis focused on the anatomy of pleura, principles behind fluid formation/reabsorption and imaging approach to assessing pleural effusion and PTPE under-CT evacuation. Material and methods: The study is conducted on eight (8) patients with PTPE at University Hospital of Trauma, University Hospital– “Mother Theresa”, University Hospital “ Shefqet Ndroqi” in Tirana, during the period, January 2015 – June 2018, by using a MDCT of 128 slice – 64 detector – dual source, SIEMENS, German machine. Results and conclusions: The frequency of post-traumatic pleural injuries with presence of Hydrothorax is 75.6 % in total; second after that of Chest wall injuries (94.2 %). Among the variable forms are reported Hemothorax – 17.4 % and Pneumothorax – 7.3 %. Empyema is rare – 2 %. MDCT is the most sensitive, specific, and accurate imaging modality in the assessment of PTPE and management of patients: • demonstrates the significant disorder in patients with normal initial radiographs, • indicates changing of management in up to 20% of cases with abnormal initial radiographs, • assists several micro-invasive procedures in order to prevents development of empyema, • enables early prediction of respiratory compromise and limits the severe invasive interventions.

Keywords

• posttraumatic pleural injuries
• empyema
• multidetector CT