Pulmonary contusion
Updates to Article Attributes
A pulmonary contusion refers to an interstitial and / or/or alveolar lung injury without any frank laceration. It usually occurs secondary to non-penetrating trauma.
Epidemiology
While contusion can affect anyone, children are considered more susceptible due to chest wall greater pliability in that age group.
Radiographic features
In most cases the findings are manifest at the time of the initial examination and show little tendency to increase in severity with subsequent examinations. Radiographic clearing of pulmonary contusion is relatively rapid, and the signs of contusion have often resolved within 48 hours. Features often does not localize in a lobar or segmental pattern.
Plain film
Not sensitive. Faint patchy consolidative regions following history of blunt trauma. Usually shows rapid improvement with time (days), usually days .
CT
Typically seen as focal, non segmental (typically crescentic) areas of parenchymal opacification. Can have sub-pleural sparing with smaller contusions which can be a distinguishing feature. Commoner posteriorly and in lower lobes.
Differential diagnosis
General imaging differential considerations include
See also
-<p>A <strong>pulmonary contusion</strong> refers to an interstitial and / or alveolar lung injury without any frank <a title="Pulmonary laceration" href="/articles/pulmonary-laceration-1">laceration</a>. It usually occurs secondary to non-penetrating trauma. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>While contusion can affect anyone, children are considered more susceptible due to chest wall greater pliability in that age group.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>In most cases the findings are manifest at the time of the initial examination and show little tendency to increase in severity with subsequent examinations. Radiographic clearing of pulmonary contusion is relatively rapid, and the signs of contusion have often resolved within 48 hours. Features often does not localize in a lobar or segmental pattern.</p><h5>Plain film </h5><p>Not sensitive. Faint patchy consolidative regions following history of blunt trauma. Usually shows rapid improvement with time (days) .</p><h5>CT </h5><p>Typically seen as focal, non segmental (typically crescentic) areas of parenchymal opacification. Can have sub-pleural sparing with smaller contusions which can be a distinguishing feature. Commoner posteriorly and in lower lobes.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>General imaging differential considerations include</p><ul>-<li><a title="aspiration pneumonia" href="/articles/aspiration-pneumonia">aspiration pneumonia</a></li>-<li>segmental / <a title="focal atelectasis" href="/articles/focal-atelectasis">focal atelectasis</a> </li>-<li><a title="pulmonary haemorrhage" href="/articles/pulmonary-haemorrhage">pulmonary haemorrhage</a></li>-</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a title="Pulmonary laceration" href="/articles/pulmonary-laceration-1">pulmonary laceration</a></li></ul>- +<p>A <strong>pulmonary contusion</strong> refers to an interstitial and/or alveolar lung injury without any frank <a href="/articles/pulmonary-laceration-1">laceration</a>. It usually occurs secondary to non-penetrating trauma.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>While contusion can affect anyone, children are considered more susceptible due to chest wall greater pliability in that age group.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>In most cases the findings are manifest at the time of the initial examination and show little tendency to increase in severity with subsequent examinations. Radiographic clearing of pulmonary contusion is relatively rapid, and the signs of contusion have often resolved within 48 hours. Features often does not localize in a lobar or segmental pattern.</p><h5>Plain film </h5><p>Not sensitive. Faint patchy consolidative regions following history of blunt trauma. Usually shows rapid improvement with time, usually days .</p><h5>CT </h5><p>Typically seen as focal, non segmental (typically crescentic) areas of parenchymal opacification. Can have sub-pleural sparing with smaller contusions which can be a distinguishing feature. Commoner posteriorly and in lower lobes.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>General imaging differential considerations include</p><ul>
- +<li><a href="/articles/aspiration-pneumonia">aspiration pneumonia</a></li>
- +<li>segmental / <a href="/articles/focal-atelectasis">focal atelectasis</a>
- +</li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/pulmonary-haemorrhage">pulmonary haemorrhage</a></li>
- +</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/pulmonary-laceration-1">pulmonary laceration</a></li></ul>
Image ( update )
Image 5 CT (lung window) ( update )
Image 6 CT (C+ portal venous phase) ( update )
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