Rib Fracture and Flail Chest
last authored:
last reviewed:
Introduction
Flail chest is the fracture of three or more ribs at two places.
The Case of...
a simple case introducing clincial presentation and calling for a differential diagnosis to get students thinking.
Causes and Risk Factors
Worrying fractures:
- flail chest
- in elderly (increased risk of respiratory failure)
- first and second ribs (significant mechanism of injury)
Pathophysiology
Signs and Symptoms
- history
- physical exam
History
Flail chest is extremely painful
Physical Exam
Flail chest can show paradoxical movement with breathing.
Investigations
- lab investigations
- diagnostic imaging
Lab Investigations
Diagnostic Imaging
Differential Diagnosis
Treatments
Analgesia, aggressive pulmonary physio, close monitoring, selective endotacheal intubation and mechanical ventilation
Consequences and Course
Resources and References
Topic Development
authors:
reviewers:
 |