Woe patient is purple

Abstract

Aim: Our purpose in presenting this case is to review the management of traumatic asphyxia with blunt thoracic trauma patients. Case: A 47 year-old male patient due to accident at work were brought to the emergency department with chest and abdominal pain. On physical examination face, upper extremities, 1/3 of both the proximal and the body to the level of the nipple with cyanosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage in both eyes was seen. At bed side echocardiography it wasn't seen pericardial effusion. At chest computed tomography there were pneumomediastenium, sternum fracture and pulmonary contusion. Patient was entubated and admitted to intensive care unit and followed. Conclusion: Traumatic asphyxia is a clinical condition caused by blunt thoracoabdominal trauma, and with good trauma management patients can be discharged with less mortality and morbidity. [Cukurova Med J 2014; 39(4.000): 914-917]

Keywords

• Traumatic asphyxia
• blunt thoracoabdominal trauma
• emergency department