J Acute Care Surg.  2017 Apr;7(1):39-43. 10.17479/jacs.2017.7.1.39.

Two Cases of Bronchial Injury in Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma

• Seo HJ
• Sun KH
• Kim SP

• KMID: 2384015
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17479/jacs.2017.7.1.39

Abstract

Traumatic bronchial injury (TBI) is rare and often fatal, usually a result of blunt or penetrating chest trauma. Clinical manifestations of TBI include pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and continuous air leakage despite thoracostomy with negative pressure. However, TBI is initially difficult to diagnose because its signs are similar to other chest traumas. Delayed diagnosis of TBI can result in sepsis, bronchial stenosis, hypoxic injury, and eventually can cause death. We experienced two patients with TBI, possibly a result of blunt chest trauma. We did not diagnose TBI in the emergency room because we did not suspect it. During surgery, we discovered right bronchial rupture, so performed end to end anastomosis of bronchus in two patients. This report discusses the rare occurrence of TBIs due to chest trauma; our aim is to increase awareness of this diagnosis in the trauma center.

Keyword

Bronchi; Thoracic injuries; Mediastinal emphysema; Pneumothorax

MeSH Terms

Bronchi
Constriction, Pathologic
Delayed Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Emergency Service, Hospital
Humans
Mediastinal Emphysema
Pneumothorax
Rupture
Sepsis
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Thoracic Injuries
Thoracostomy
Thorax*
Trauma Centers