Brief Article
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World J Radiol. Nov 28, 2011; 3(11): 273-278
Published online Nov 28, 2011. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v3.i11.273
Digital radiography of crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake
Zhi-Hui Dong, Heng Shao, Tian-Wu Chen, Zhi-Gang Chu, Wen Deng, Si-Shi Tang, Jing Chen, Zhi-Gang Yang
Zhi-Hui Dong, Heng Shao, Tian-Wu Chen, Zhi-Gang Chu, Wen Deng, Si-Shi Tang, Jing Chen, Zhi-Gang Yang, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Zhi-Hui Dong, 2nd Department of Computed Tomography, Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang 471009, Henan Province, China
Zhi-Gang Yang, 2nd State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Yang ZG and Dong ZH designed the research; Dong ZH, Shao H, Chen TW, Chu ZG, Deng W, Tang SS and Chen J performed the research; Dong ZH, Shao H and Chen TW contributed new analytic tools; Dong ZH, Yang ZG, Shao H and Chen TW analyzed the data; Dong ZH, Yang ZG, Shao H, Chen TW, Chu ZG, Deng W, Tang SS and Chen J wrote and revised the paper.
Supported by National Nature Sciences Foundation of China, No. 30970820 and 30870688; Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of Sichuan Province, No. 2010JQ0039
Correspondence to: Zhi-Gang Yang, Professor, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 GuoXue Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, Sichuan Province, China. yangzg1117@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-28-85423817 Fax: +86-28-85502946
Received: April 18, 2011
Revised: August 7, 2011
Accepted: August 14, 2011
Published online: November 28, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the features of crush thoracic trauma in Sichuan earthquake victims using chest digital radiography (CDR).

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 772 CDR of 417 females and 355 males who had suffered crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake. Patient age ranged from 0.5 to 103 years. CDR was performed between May 12, 2008 and June 7, 2008. We looked for injury to the thoracic cage, pulmonary parenchyma and the pleura.

RESULTS: Antero-posterior (AP) and lateral CDR were obtained in 349 patients, the remaining 423 patients underwent only AP CDR. Thoracic cage fractures, pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries were noted in 331 (42.9%; 95% CI: 39.4%-46.4%), 67 and 135 patients, respectively. Of the 256 patients with rib fractures, the mean number of fractured ribs per patient was 3. Rib fractures were mostly distributed from the 3rd through to the 8th ribs and the vast majority involved posterior and lateral locations along the rib. Rib fractures had a significant positive association with non-rib thoracic fractures, pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries (P < 0.001). The number of rib fractures and pulmonary contusions were significant factors associated with patient death.

CONCLUSION: Earthquake-related crush thoracic trauma has the potential for multiple fractures. The high number of fractured ribs and pulmonary contusions were significant factors which needed appropriate medical treatment.

Keywords: Earthquake, Pleura, Pulmonary parenchyma, Radiography, Thoracic trauma