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Pulmonary Contusion

Aka: Pulmonary Contusion, Lung Contusion, Chest Contusion

Epidemiology
1. Pulmonary Contusion is the most common potentially lethal chest injury
Risk Factors: Increased Morbidity
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
2. Chronic Kidney Disease
Pathophysiology
1. Traumatic injury to chest results in Lung Contusion
  1. May occur without Rib Fracture
2. Slow, insidious respiratory failure may ensue resulting in Hypoxia
Indications: Early Intubation
1. Arterial Blood Gas with PaO2 <65 mmHg or
2. Oxygen Saturation <90%
Management: Disposition
1. Admit most patients (especially elderly)
  1. Respiratory status can deteriorate rapidly
2. Discharge indications
  1. Young, healthy, stable and compliant patient and
  2. Near normal Chest XRay and
  3. Will perform incentive Spirometry at home frequently (every 1-2 hours) and
  4. Has close follow-up scheduled

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 1/6/2012 and last published on 5/10/2012.

This is one of 5737 pages in the Family Practice Notebook