Pulmonary laceration

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Pulmonary laceration
Lung lacerations
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood
Complications	Pneumothorax, hemothorax, infection
Onset	Trauma
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Blunt trauma, penetrating trauma
Risks	Rib fracture, high-speed motor vehicle accidents
Diagnosis	Chest X-ray, CT scan
Differential diagnosis	Pulmonary contusion, pneumonia, lung cancer
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Observation, chest tube, surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common in trauma cases
Deaths	N/A

Pneumothorax CT scan

Pulmonary contusion

Pulmonary laceration is a medical condition that involves a tear or puncture in the lung tissue. This can occur as a result of blunt or penetrating trauma, such as a car accident or a stab wound. The laceration can lead to a buildup of air or blood in the pleural space, which can cause the lung to collapse.

Causes

Pulmonary lacerations are most commonly caused by trauma to the chest. This can occur in a variety of ways, including:

• Car accidents
• Falls from a height
• Stab wounds
• Gunshot wounds
• Surgical procedures on the chest or lungs

Symptoms

The symptoms of a pulmonary laceration can vary depending on the severity of the injury. They may include:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Rapid heart rate
• Low blood pressure

Diagnosis

A pulmonary laceration is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and imaging tests. These may include:

• Chest X-ray
• CT scan
• Ultrasound

Treatment

The treatment for a pulmonary laceration depends on the severity of the injury. In some cases, the laceration may heal on its own with rest and observation. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the laceration and remove any blood or air that has built up in the pleural space.

See also

• Pulmonary contusion
• Pneumothorax
• Hemothorax

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