CT-Based Pleural Effusion Volume Estimation Formula Demonstrates Low Accuracy and Reproducibility for Traumatic Hemothorax

Thoracic trauma is a substantial source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with trauma the most common cause of death in those under the age of 45 and thoracic trauma accounting for 25% of these deaths [1]. Hemothorax is a common sequela, occurring in up to 63% of patients with rib fracture [1]. When thoracic trauma results in hemothorax, the primary management decision is whether to perform a tube thoracostomy to drain accumulated blood and clots from the pleural cavity. Incomplete drainage can lead to a retained hemothorax, which has been shown to be independently associated with complications including empyema and pneumonia [2] resulting in worse functional outcomes [3].

Source: Injury - October 10, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Grace Tewkesbury, Carl Beyer, Kevin Eddinger, Nathaniel McLauchlan, Anne Tran, Jeremy W. Cannon, Friedrich Knollmann Source Type: research