Pulmonary cavities following blunt chest injury

Abstract

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the most common cause of chest injuries. In this case report, a 17-year-old male presented with left-sided chest pain and hemoptysis after an RTA. Radiological investigations showed a left-sided pneumothorax with multiple cavities in the left lower lobe of the lung and surrounding ground glass opacities, which was suggestive of pulmonary lacerations. We managed the patient conservatively and followed up after 1 month. The computed tomography thorax showed near-complete radiological resolution after 1 month. In all patients with injuries to the chest, we have to suspect pulmonary lacerations, which can present with cavities in the lung parenchyma, and manage them accordingly. As demonstrated in this case, a pulmonary laceration following a RTA can present with pulmonary cavities. Hence, this should be kept in mind during the management of the patient with a chest wall injury.

Keywords

• blunt trauma
• cavity
• chest injury
• pneumothorax
• pulmonary laceration