钝性胸部创伤所致多发性肋骨骨折或肺挫伤患者血清表面活性蛋白D和白介素6水平变化及其临床意义

目的分析钝性胸部创伤(BCT)所致多发性肋骨骨折或肺挫伤患者血清表面活性蛋白D(SP-D)和白介素6(IL-6)水平变化及其临床意义。方法选取2014年1月—2018年10月在南京鼓楼医院集团宿迁市人民医院胸外科住院的BCT所致多发性肋骨骨折患者106例作为A组,BCT所致肺挫伤患者106例作为B组,同期在本院体检健康者106例作为对照组。比较A组与B组患者创伤情况,并比较三组受试者6 h、24 h、7 d血清SP-D和IL-6水平。结果 (1)A组与B组患者创伤原因、创伤部位、创伤严重程度(ISS)评分、其他胸部创伤情况、全身创伤情况、肺不张及肺炎发生率、住院时间比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)以对照组受试者血清SP-D和IL-6水平为常模,A组、B组患者创伤后6 h、24 h、7 d血清SP-D水平高于对照组,B组患者创伤后6 h、24 h、7 d血清SP-D水平高于A组(P0.05);A组、B组患者创伤后6 h、24 h及B组患者创伤后7 d血清IL-6水平高于对照组,B组患者创伤后6 h、24 h血清IL-6水平高于A组(P0.05)。结论 BCT所致多发性肋骨骨折或肺挫伤患者血清SP-D和IL-6水平明显升高,创伤后24 h内检测血清SP-D和IL-6水平有助于判断BCT病情严重程度。     

以循证支持为基础的综合护理对慢阻肺合并2型糖尿病患者预后的影响

目的探究以循证支持为基础的综合护理对慢阻肺合并2型糖尿病患者预后的影响。方法选取该院2018年3月—2019年3月收治的慢阻肺合并2型糖尿病患者88例,采用双盲法分为A组和B组,各44例。A组采用以循证支持为基础的综合护理,B组采用常规护理。护理2个月后观察效果,包括并发症发生率、呼吸功能评分及空腹血糖、餐后2 h血糖、糖化血红蛋白等指标。结果A组并发症发生率2.27%,低于B组的22.73%,对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组呼吸功能评分(0.32±0.05)分,低于B组(1.05±0.12)分,对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组空腹血糖、餐后2 h血糖、糖化血红蛋白等指标均低于B组,对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论以循证支持为基础的综合护理在慢阻肺合并2型糖尿病患者中具有显著效果,可改善患者呼吸功能及血糖各指标,降低并发症发生风险,值得临床推广。     

肺挫伤所致急性呼吸窘迫综合征预后相关因素的Logistic分析

目的探讨肺挫伤所致急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者病死率密切相关的影响因素。方法 112例肺挫伤所致急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者的各项临床指标进行统计分析以明确影响病死率的独立相关因素,根据患者预后,分为生存组和死亡组。研究的因素包括性别、年龄、伤后时间、是否合并多发伤、是否发生低血容量性休克、血小板计数、手术与否、血糖值、有无合并基础疾病、ISS评分及TSS评分。应用单因素、多因素Logistic回归分析肺挫伤所导致的急性呼吸窘迫综合征。结果两组间性别、手术与否差异无统计学意义(P0.05),而年龄、伤后时间、低血容量休克、血小板计数、血糖、存在基础疾病、ISS评分及TSS评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素Logistic分析发现,影响此类患者预后的独立危险因素为年龄≥60岁、伤后时间、合并多发伤、低血容量休克、血小板计数≤80×109/L、有基础疾病、ISS≥30分和TSS≥15分。结论肺挫伤所致急性呼吸窘迫综合征病死率高,以上独立危险因素可以为正确判断病情提供重要依据。     

呼吸系统功能评分在慢性阻塞性肺疾病并呼吸衰竭患者呼吸机撤机中的应用价值

目的分析呼吸系统功能评分在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)并呼吸衰竭患者呼吸机撤机中的应用价值。方法选取2014年3月—2016年3月海南省琼海市人民医院收治的COPD并呼吸衰竭患者60例,均行气管插管及机械通气治疗,采用随机数字表法分为A组、B组和C组,每组20例。A组患者采用传统撤机方法,B组患者在呼吸系统功能评分为3~4分时撤机,C组患者在呼吸系统功能评分为5~6分时撤机。比较3组患者撤机情况(包括直接撤机成功、无创通气辅助困难撤机、再次气管插管及总撤机成功)、机械通气时间、入住ICU时间及并发症发生率。结果 3组患者无创通气辅助困难撤概率、再次气管插管率及总撤机成功率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组和B组患者直接撤机成功率高于C组(P<0.05),而A组与B组患者直接撤机成功率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。B组和C组患者机械通气时间、入住ICU时间均短于A组(P<0.05),而B组与C组患者机械通气时间、住ICU时间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。3组患者胃肠道反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);B组和C组患者肺部气压伤、呼吸机相关性肺炎(VAP)发生率低于A组(P<0.05),而B组与C组患者肺部气压伤、VAP发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论将呼吸系统功能评分3~4分作为呼吸机撤机指标可有效缩短COPD并呼吸衰竭患者机械通气时间和入住ICU时间,降低肺部气压伤和VAP发生率,且不影响撤机成功率。     

中药熏蒸结合蜡疗治疗多发性肋骨骨折的临床效果观察

目的探讨分析中药熏蒸结合蜡疗治疗多发性肋骨骨折的临床效果。方法在我院收治的多发性肋骨骨折患者(2018年3月-2018年10月)中抽取76例作为研究对象,按照治疗方式的不同分为对照组与研究组,每组各38例,给予对照组常规治疗,研究组加用中药熏蒸结合蜡疗治疗,比较两组治疗前后疼痛改善情况、临床疗效、住院时间及并发症发生情况。结果治疗后,研究组VAS评分低于对照组(P<0.05),住院时间短于对照组(P<0.05),临床治疗总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05),且并发症总发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论给予多发性肋骨骨折患者中药熏蒸结合蜡疗治疗能够有效缓解疼痛,提高治疗效果,缩短住院时间,安全可靠。     

160例腹泻型肠易激综合征患者胃肠动力与临床症状的相关性研究

[目的]研究腹泻型肠易激综合征患者胃肠动力与临床症状的相关性。[方法]以2016-10—2018-08收治的160例腹泻型肠易激综合征患者为对象,依据排便前腹部不适感或疼痛感发生频率分为3个组,43例每日均出现者为A组,73例超过1 d/周出现者为B组,44例2 d/月~1 d/周出现者为C组,均调查其肠道症状评分、心理状态、生活质量及结肠动力学指标,并分析肠道症状评分与心理状态、生活质量及结肠动力学指标的相关性。[结果]肠道症状评分A组为(10.66±1.29)分,B组为(9.51±1.17)分,C组为(8.23±1.09)分,3组间对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两两对比结果发现,C组评分比A、B组低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);A组生活质量评分为(65.33±18.23)分,B组为(71.11±17.67)分,C组为(77.68±16.55)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两两对比结果发现,C组评分比A组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组患者餐后结肠动力学指数为4.73±1.28,B组为3.47±1.11,C组为2.03±0.67,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两两对比结果发现,A组餐后结肠动力学指数比B、C组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。腹泻型肠易激综合征患者肠道症状评分与生活质量呈负相关(P<0.05),A组患者餐后结肠动力学指数与肠道症状呈正相关(P<0.05)。[结论]腹泻型肠易激综合征患者的肠道症状评分与生活质量及餐后结肠动力学指数存在一定相关性。     

布地奈德福莫特罗、噻托溴铵、家庭无创正压通气对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者影响的研究

目的比较布地奈德福莫特罗、噻托溴铵以及布地奈德福莫特罗联合家庭无创正压通气对稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者的影响。方法选取2015年1月至2017年1月我院收治的42例气流受限程度为中度及以上的慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者,经治疗进入疾病稳定期后将患者按照数字分配原则随机分为A、B、C组,各14例。A组给予布地奈德福莫特罗干粉(每日2次,每次320/9微克)联合噻托溴铵粉(每日1次,每次18微克)吸入治疗,B组给予噻托溴铵粉吸入治疗(每日1次,每次18微克),C组在A组的基础上联合家庭无创正压通气治疗。随访1年,比较上述3组患者慢性阻塞性肺疾病评估测试(CAT)呼吸问卷评分、血气分析指标、慢性阻塞性肺病急性加重并住院治疗次数、住院时间、随访期间住院治疗费用、死亡率。结果治疗前3组患者CAT评分、PO_2、PCO_2差异无统计学意义(P0.05),治疗1年后3组患者CAT评分、PO_2、PCO_2均较治疗前改善,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),C组CAT评分、PO_2、PCO_2、疾病急性加重并住院治疗次数、住院时间、随访期间住院治疗费用较其余两组改善明显,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),A组与B组组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);随访期间A、B、C组各死亡1例,3组患者死亡率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论长效支气管舒张药物配合正规吸入技术可有效改善患者症状及血气指标,家庭无创正压通气可进一步降低疾病急性加重并住院治疗次数以及住院花费,提高患者生活质量,降低医疗成本。     

不同剂量甲泼尼龙对急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者炎性因子及治疗效果的影响研究

目的探讨不同剂量甲泼尼龙对急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者炎性因子及治疗效果的影响。方法选取2010—2013年我院收治的ARDS患者60例,将其随机分为A、B、C 3组,各20例。3组患者均给予常规治疗,在常规治疗基础上B组患者给予甲泼尼龙80 mg/d静脉注射、C组患者给予甲泼尼龙500 mg/d静脉注射,疗程为3 d。观察3组患者治疗前、治疗后3 d和7 d血浆C反应蛋白(CRP)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)及降钙素原(PCT)水平变化,记录3组患者治疗前后氧合指数、急性生理和慢性健康评分系统Ⅱ评分(APACHEⅡ评分)、住院天数和病死率。结果治疗前3组患者CRP、FIB及PCT水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后3 d和7 d B组和C组患者CRP、FIB及PCT水平低于A组,C组上述指标低于B组(P0.05)。治疗前3组患者氧合指数、APACHEⅡ评分比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后B组和C组氧合指数高于A组,C组高于B组(P0.05);APACHEⅡ评分低于A组,C组低于B组(P0.05);病死率和住院天数低于A组(P0.05)。结论甲泼尼龙治疗ARDS可以明显抑制患者炎性因子水平,有助于提高治疗效果,且较大剂量甲泼尼龙疗效更显著。     

立体定向血肿抽吸术治疗轻中度自发性基底核区出血的临床效果及其对血清基质金属蛋白酶9、超敏C反应蛋白水平的影响

目的观察立体定向血肿抽吸术治疗轻中度自发性基底核区出血的临床效果,探讨其对血清基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)和超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平的影响。方法选取2014—2016年贵州航天医院收治的自发性基底核区出血患者95例,根据出血量及治疗方法分为轻度出血行保守治疗者27例(A组)、轻度出血行立体定向血肿抽吸术者30例(B组)、中度出血行保守治疗者18例(C组)和中度出血行立体定向血肿抽吸术者20例(D组)。治疗后14 d,4组患者均复查CT,记录其血肿清除率及脑水肿体积;比较A组和B组、C组和D组患者治疗前及治疗后3、7、14 d血清MMP-9、hs-CRP水平;比较A组和B组、C组和D组患者治疗前及治疗后14、30 d美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分;随访3个月,记录4组患者格拉斯哥预后量表(GOS)评分;观察B组和D组患者治疗期间并发症发生情况。结果治疗后14 d,B组和D组患者血肿清除率分别高于A组和C组,脑水肿体积分别小于A组和C组(P<0.05)。时间和方法在血清MMP-9和hs-CRP水平上存在交互作用(P<0.05);时间和方法在血清MMP-9和hs-CRP水平上主效应显著(P<0.05);治疗后3、7、14 d B组和D组患者血清MMP-9、hs-CRP水平分别低于A组和C组(P<0.05)。时间和方法在NIHSS评分上存在交互作用(P<0.05);时间和方法在NIHSS评分上主效应显著(P<0.05);治疗后14、30 d B组和D组患者NIHSS评分分别低于A组和C组(P<0.05)。随访3个月,B组和D组患者GOS评分分别高于A组和C组(P<0.05)。治疗期间,B组和D组患者发生再出血2例,均未发生手术相关死亡及颅内感染。结论立体定向血肿抽吸术治疗轻中度自发性基底核区出血的临床效果确切,可有效清除血肿、减轻脑水肿、降低血清MMP-9和hs-CRP水平并改善患者远期预后,且安全性较高。     

对比奥氮平、阿立哌唑和利培酮治疗阿尔茨海默病的临床效果及对认知功能的影响

目的 对比奥氮平、阿立哌唑和利培酮治疗阿尔茨海默病(D)的临床效果及对认知功能的影响。方法 回顾性分析105例AD患者的临床资料。根据治理方案不同，随机分为3组，每组35例。A组采用阿立哌唑治疗，B组采用奥氮平治疗，C组采用利培酮治疗。观察3组治疗有效率、认知功能、日常生活能力、智力水平及不良反应发生率。结果 3组治疗后1、2、3个月治疗有效率统计学差异(P>0.05)。组内对比，每组不同时间点有效率均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。治疗前3组蒙特利尔认知评价(MoCA)量表评分无统计学差异(P>0.05);治疗后4 w, B、C组MoCA评分显著高于A组(P<0.05),其他组间对比MoCA评分均无统计学差异(P>0.05);但组内对比发现，每组不同时间点MoCA评分均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。治疗前3组日常生活能力量表(ADL)评分无统计学差异(P>0.05);治疗后4、8、12 w, A组ADL评分显著高于B、C组(P<0.05);同时，组内对比每组不同时间点ADL评分均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。治疗前3组简易精神状态检...     

Rib radiographs for trauma: useful or wasteful?

In trauma to the chest, the clinical impression and the physical findings of rib fractures are nonspecific. Fractures often are not seen on initial films. The principal diagnostic goal should be the detection of significant complications (pneumothorax, hemothorax, major vascular injury, or pulmonary contusion) requiring admission. The therapeutic effort should be to provide pain relief and prevent the delayed development of atelectasis or pneumonia in patients with painful chest wall injuries, whether or not a fracture is detected initially. An upright posteroanterior chest radiograph has the greatest yield in detecting fractures and complications resulting from them. Tomograms and expiratory, oblique, and "coned-down" views should not be done routinely. The use of these more specific examinations may be indicated, however, in such cases as trauma to ribs 1 to 3 or 9 to 12. Their selective use in isolated cases (trauma to ribs 1 to 3 or 9 to 12) and suspected child abuse may indicate the need for these more specific examinations. Because detection of pulmonary complications of chest trauma is most important, a delayed or repeat upright posteroanterior chest radiograph may be the most cost-effective second radiograph. Significant medical care cost savings may be appreciated by limiting the use of specific rib views to instances in which it might influence the patient's therapy.     

手术内固定对钝性胸外伤导致连枷胸合并呼吸困难的观察

目的探讨手术内固定对钝性胸外伤导致连枷胸合并呼吸困难的临床疗效。方法选取我院收治的32例胸外伤致连枷胸合并呼吸困难患者,分为观察组17例和对照组15例,对照组采用骨折肋骨处进行包扎、牵引等常规治疗方法,观察组行手术内固定治疗,对比两组患者术后ARDS、肺部感染、住院时间、治愈率以及6个月后复查肺功能指标。结果观察组治愈16例,治愈率94.1%;对照组治愈13例,治愈率86.7%,其中有1例死于重症呼吸衰竭。观察组术后并发症明显低于对照组;6个月后复查结果发现,观察组肺功能各项指标均高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论手术内固定可以减少胸外伤致连枷胸合并呼吸衰竭患者的并发症,具有满意的短期和长期疗效。     

Post-traumatic pulmonary contusion in children

We reviewed 35 consecutive cases of post-traumatic pulmonary contusion in children that occurred during a 12-year period. Of these, 19 children (54%) were more than 5 years old, 30 (86%) were involved in motor vehicle accidents, and 29 (83%) had multiple trauma. External thoracic wall contusion, fracture of the bony thorax, tachypnea, hemoptysis, and abnormal breath sounds were frequently absent on presentation. Associated intrathoracic lesions of pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and hemothorax occurred in 20 children (57%) and were particularly prevalent in those with fracture of the bony thorax (93%); the radiographic appearance of these lesions was delayed up to 48 hours in 40% of cases. In 34 children (97%), radiographic evidence of pulmonary contusion was present on admission and did not progress radiographically during hospitalization. No child experienced respiratory deterioration subsequent to presentation or required mechanical ventilation for respiratory insufficiency. Pulmonary contusion in children is usually a consequence of significant-impact injury associated with multiple trauma and has a good prognosis. Despite a paucity of abnormal physical findings, children who sustain high-impact trauma should receive radiographic evaluation of the chest to assess for possible intrathoracic injury. When pulmonary contusion is accompanied by fracture of the bony thorax, serial radiographic evaluation of the chest should be performed during the initial 48 hours of hospitalization.     

氟比洛芬酯用于胸部创伤镇痛的临床观察

目的观察静脉滴注氟比洛芬酯对胸部创伤患者的镇痛效果及安全性。方法 60例以多发肋骨骨折(3根以上)为主的胸部创伤患者随机分为A、B两组,A组给予氟比洛芬酯注射液(凯纷)50 mg加入生理盐水50 ml静脉滴注,B组给予曲马多注射液100 mg肌肉注射。比较起效时间、维持时间及用药前、用药后2、6、24 h疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)值,以及副反应观察。结果 A组药物起效时间及持续时间与B组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);两组给药后6 h VAS评分差异有显著性(P<0.01);给药前、给药后2、24 h两组VAS评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组用药后不良反应:A组不良反应率为3.33%,B组不良反应发生率为16.67%。结论氟比洛芬酯用于胸部创伤镇痛效果确切,且副作用少。     

镍钛记忆合金环抱器治疗多发性肋骨骨折32例临床分析

目的 探讨和总结镍钛记忆合金环抱器治疗多发性肋骨骨折的疗效和价值.方法 分析我院收治的32例多发性肋骨骨折患者应用镍钛记忆合金环抱器治疗的临床资料.结果 所有患者均行镍钛记忆合金环抱器内固定,术后胸廓塌陷畸形改善,胸痛显著减轻,无反常呼吸,呼吸功能得到改善.术后1-2月随诊,胸片示内固定牢固,无松动移位,骨折断端对位对线好,胸廓无明显畸形.结论 应用镍钛记忆合金环抱器治疗多发性肋骨骨折具有创伤低、操作简单、固定可靠、组织相容性好等优点,是一种较好的治疗方法,值得推广.     

A clinical decision rule for identifying children with thoracic injuries after blunt torso trauma

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence of thoracic injuries in children sustaining blunt torso trauma and to develop a clinical prediction rule to identify children with these injuries. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled pediatric patients (<16 years) who presented to the emergency department of a Level I trauma center with blunt torso trauma and underwent chest radiography. Clinical findings were recorded in a standardized fashion by the ED faculty physician. Thoracic injuries included the following: pulmonary contusion, hemothorax, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, tracheal-bronchial disruption, aortic injury, hemopericardium, pneumopericardium, cardiac contusion, rib fracture, sternal fracture, or any injury to the diaphragm. Multiple logistic regression and recursive partitioning analyses were performed to generate a clinical prediction rule for identifying children with these injuries. RESULTS: Nine hundred eighty-six patients with a mean age of 8.3+/-4.8 years were enrolled. Eighty (8.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5% to 10.0%) patients sustained thoracic injuries. Multiple logistic regression and recursive partitioning analyses identified the following predictors of thoracic injuries: low systolic blood pressure (14% with injury versus 2% without injury; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.6), elevated age-adjusted respiratory rate (51% versus 16%; adjusted OR 2.9), abnormal results on examination of the thorax (68% versus 36%; adjusted OR 3.6), abnormal chest auscultation findings (14% versus 1%; adjusted OR 8.6), femur fracture (13% versus 5%; adjusted OR 2.2), and a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of less than 15 (61% versus 26%; adjusted OR 3.3). Seventy-eight (98%; 95% CI 91% to 100%) of the 80 patients with thoracic injuries had at least 1 of these predictive factors. Three hundred thirty-six (37%) children had none of these predictive factors, including 2 (0.6%; 95% CI 0.1% to 2.1%) with thoracic injuries. These 2 injuries, however, did not require any intervention. CONCLUSION: Predictors of thoracic injury in children sustaining blunt torso trauma include low systolic blood pressure, elevated respiratory rate, abnormal results on thoracic examination, abnormal chest auscultation findings, femur fracture, and a GCS score of less than 15. These predictors can be used to create a sensible clinical decision rule for the identification of children with thoracic injuries.     

Biosorbable poly-L-lactide rib-connecting pins may reduce acute pain after thoracotomy

OBJECTIVE: Conventional thoracotomy is currently used as a standard procedure, and is often required to treat numerous diseases. Additionally, rib resections are occasionally required to maintain an adequate field of view for surgery. The benefits of using rib pins for chest closure following such procedures have not yet been established. This study sought to evaluate the usefulness of rib pins in reducing acute postoperative pain. METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive patients with lung cancer underwent lobectomies using the posterolateral approach. The patients were rib-resected and reconstructed with two techniques: 21 patients with absorbable rib pins (ARP group) and 12 patients by ligation with absorbable sutures (LAS group). Intensity of pain was assessed during the 3 days immediately following surgery. The two groups were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) as a pain scale, amounts consumed of patient-controlled analgesics (PCA), and additional chest x-rays. RESULTS: On the first day following surgery, the mean VAS intensity of the ARP group for patient motion was 2.71 +/- 2.14, compared to 5.33 +/- 2.99 in the LAS group. After three days, the mean score for the ARP group was 1.98 +/- 1.89, compared to 4.60 +/- 1.97 in the LAS group. Scores in the ARP group were significantly lower than in the LAS group one day and three days following thoracotomy. The LAS group (55.0 +/- 15.9 times) made more frequent requests than the ARP group (16.1 +/- 10.3 times). The PCA requirement was also significantly lower in the ARP group. Excessive derangement of the rib (grade 2) was found in one case (4.7 %) in the ARP group compared to five cases (41.6 %) in the LAS group. Rib shifts were seen in numerous cases in the LAS group compared to the ARP group as measured by chest x-rays. CONCLUSIONS: Use of absorbable rib pins reduced postoperative pain and may improve long-term prospects for the post-thoracotomy course.     

Chest wall trauma

Sufficient trauma to the chest can result in injury to the bony thorax and soft tissues of the chest wall, increasing patient morbidity and mortality. Fractured ribs can lacerate the pleura, lung, or abdominal organs. Fractures to upper ribs, clavicle, and upper sternum can signal brachial plexus or vascular injury. Paradoxical movement of a flail chest can impair respiratory mechanics, promote atelectasis, and impair pulmonary drainage. Most patients with thoracic spine fracture-dislocations have complete neurologic deficits. Scapular fractures, associated with other injuries in almost all patients, are frequently overlooked on supine chest radiographs. Sternal fractures, associated with clinically silent myocardial contusion, are best visualized on chest computed tomography (CT). Severe trauma to the chest wall can be associated with large chest wall hematomas or collections of air within the chest wall that can communicate with the intrathoracic space. CT scanning can easily distinguish chest wall from parenchymal or mediastinal injury, whereas this differentiation my not be possible with chest radiography.     

Determinants of rib motion in flail chest

We have previously developed a canine model of isolated flail chest to assess the effects of this condition on the mechanics of breathing, and these studies have led to the conclusion that the respiratory displacement of the fractured ribs is primarily determined by the fall in pleural pressure (Delta Ppl) and the action of the parasternal intercostal muscles. The present studies were designed to test the validity of this conclusion. A flail was induced in six supine anesthetized animals by fracturing both dorsally and ventrally the second to fifth ribs on the right side of the chest, after which the phrenic nerve roots were bilaterally sectioned in the neck. Sectioning the phrenic nerves caused a 34% decrease in Delta Ppl, associated with a 39% increase in parasternal intercostal inspiratory EMG activity (p < 0.05), and resulted in a marked reduction in the inspiratory inward displacement of the ribs. In three animals, the inward rib displacement was even reversed into a small outward displacement. When the airway was then occluded at end-expiration to increase Delta Ppl during the subsequent inspiration, all animals again showed a clear-cut inward rib displacement. These observations therefore confirm that in dogs with flail chest, the inspiratory displacement of the fractured ribs is set by the balance between the force related to pleural pressure and that generated by the parasternal intercostals. These observations also point to the critical importance of the pattern of inspiratory muscle activation in determining the magnitude of rib cage paradox in such patients.     

Sex differences in thoracic dimensions and configuration

The volume of adult female lungs is typically 10-12% smaller than that of males who have the same height and age. In this study, we investigated how this volume difference is distributed between the rib cage and the diaphragm abdomen compartments. Internal rib cage dimensions, diaphragm position relative to spine, and diaphragm length were compared in 21 normal male and 19 normal female subjects at three different lung volumes using anterior-posterior and lateral chest radiographs. At all lung volumes examined, females had smaller radial rib cage dimensions in relationship to height than males, a greater inclination of ribs, a comparable diaphragm dome position relative to the spine, and a shorter diaphragm length. Female subjects exhibited a greater inspiratory rib cage muscle contribution during resting breathing than males, presumably reflecting an improved mechanical advantage conferred to these muscles by the greater inclination of ribs. Because of a greater inclination of ribs, female rib cages could accommodate a greater volume expansion. The results suggest a disproportionate growth of the rib cage in females relative to the lung, which would be well suited to accommodate large abdominal volume displacements as in pregnancy.