Imaging analysis of burst injury of the lungs in coal miners workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the imaging features of burst injury of the lung in coal miners and to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data and imaging findings of 78 patients with burst injury of the lung.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The imaging findings of burst injury of the lung were variable and complex, and they varied over time. Eleven cases showed no abnormalities on X-ray and CT within 24 h, but abnormalities appeared within 3 d; 53 cases showed abnormalities on X-ray and CT and had an exacerbation within 3 d; 8 cases showed improvements when reexamined. Among the 78 patients examined by X-ray and (or) CT, ground glass-like shadows were noted in 15 cases, interstitial changes in 13 cases, segmental consolidation in 24 cases, and diffuse consolidation in 26 cases. The complications included pneumothorax (n = 35), hemothorax (n = 28), costal fracture (n = 24), and pulmonary infection (n = 27).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>X-ray plain film and CT offer a reliable basis for early diagnosis of burst injury of the lung. CT is superior to X-ray plain film in detecting lesions, so chest CT should be performed as early as possible to remedy burst injury of the lung.</p>