Imaging diagnosis of lung lacerating injury / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the imaging findings of the lacerating injury of the lung. Methods Ten patients of lung lacerating injury were examined by X-ray and CT within 1—5 h after injury. X-ray(2—5 times)and CT(3—5 times)examinations were repeated for 7 patients.Results The lung lacerating injury involved 10 sides and 14 lung lobes(21 lesions in total)in the 10 cases,among which 1 case involved the right upper lobe with 1 lesion,2 cases in the right lower lobe with 2 lesions,1 case in the right upper and lower lobes with 2 lesions for each lobe,3 cases in the left lower lobe with 9 lesions,and 3 cases in both the left upper and the lower lobes with 7 lesions.The X-ray findings were cavity-like shadows with smooth margin in 9 lesions(9/21),and patchy shadows of fogging margin in 12 lesions(12/21).The CT imaging findings included 6 pulmonary hematomas(6/21),and 15 cavitary lesions with air-fluid levels (15/21).In the 15 cavitary lesions,CT revealed 14 single cavities and 2 small cavities within a big cavity. On dynamic follow-up observation,the cavity was the biggest in 1—5 h after injury,but the hematoma was the biggest in 2—3 days after injury.Hematomas tended to absorb slower than the cavities.After 16— 32 days,all lesions revolved into small patchy or stripe-like shadows with slightly increased density. Conclusion Cavitary lesion with air-fluid level is the characteristic imaging finding of lung lacerating injury.CT surpasses X-ray plain film in revealing the details of lung lacerating injury.