CT classification of lacerating lung injury and its clinical significance / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the CT classification of lacerating lung injury in blunt thoracic trauma and its clinical significance. Methods A total of 63 patients with lung lacerating injury were classified using CT features as simple type injury (complete visceral pleura, with no pneumothorax or he-mopneumothorax) and complex type injury (accompanied by visceral pleura rupture, pneumothorax or he-mopneumothorax). A retrospective analysis was done on CT manifestations and clinical data. Results Of 63 patients, 35 patients (56%) had simple type of lacerating lung injury with complete visceral pleu-ra, most of which were focal pulmonary pseudocyst lesions present in the edge of lungs and could be dis-persed quickly after conservative therapy without complications. Mean hospital stay was 16 days. Of pa-tients with complex type of lacerating lung injury, 28 patients (44.4%) were accompanied by visceral pleura rupture with larger extent of pulmonary injury, 20 (71%) by lung eontnsion, 15 (54%) by ate-lectasis or pulmonary atelectasis and three (11%) by local pulmonary infection. Thoracic puncture or closed drainage was performed in 19 patients (69%) and thoracotomy in one (4%), with mean hospital stay of 58 days. Conclusions According to CT manifestations on whether there exists visceral pleura rupture or not, the lacerating lung injury is classified as simple type injury and complex type injury. CT classification of lacerating lung injury may be helpful in selecting clinical treatment protocols and predic-ting early prognosis.