Diagnostics and Scoring in Blunt Chest Trauma

Background: Blunt chest trauma is frequently present in patients with multiple trauma. In polytraumatized patients thoracic injuries have significant influence on the treatment strategy, not only in the emergency room but also in the intensive care unit. They also affect the decision-making concerning fracture management. The vital role played by blunt chest trauma in the outcome after multiple injuries is highlighted by the fact that polytraumatized patients with severe thoracic trauma have a higher mortality rate than patients with the same injury severity without thoracic trauma. Diagnostics and Injury Severity: Within the broad category of thoracic trauma, there are many different types of injuries. Therefore it is crucial for the treating physician to promptly make the correct diagnosis and to quantify the severity of the injury. This will allow the selection of an appropriate treatment protocol and ensure the best possible outcome for the patient. Scoring Systems: Additionally, various treatment protocols for management can only be evaluated scientifically if the assessment of the trauma severity is standardized. Thus, a reliable CT-independent classification of the severity of thoracic trauma is essential. The "Thoracic Trauma Severity Score" (TTS) is a CT-independent classification of thoracic trauma that is reliable and an be performed quickly in the emergency room. This will allow for adequate treatment of thoracic trauma and the prevention of secondary complications.