10.07.2018 - By Zack Olson, MD and Michael Estephan, MD
Penetrating Abdominal Trauma
* Anything below the 4th intercostal space (nipple) is potentially an abdominal injury* Gunshot wounds to the abdomen* Needs immediate exploratory laparotomy* Stab wounds to the abdomen* Needs immediate exploratory laparotomy IF…* Hemodynamically unstable* Peritonitis on exam (rebound, rigidity, guarding)* Organs hanging out of abdomen
Blunt Abdominal Trauma
* If the patient is unstable* Perform FAST exam* If the patient is stable* CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis with contrast
Basilar Skull Fracture
* Bilateral post-auricular ecchymosis (Battle’s Sign)* Raccoon eyes* Hemotympanum* Otorrhea/Rhinorrhea
Tension Pneumothorax
* Classic findings* Hypotension* Obstructive shock* Absent breath sounds* Jugular vein distension (JVD)* Treatment* Needle decompression* 2nd intercostal space* Mid-clavicular line* Tube thoracostomy
Hemothorax
* Hypotension* Hemorrhagic shock* Absent breath sounds* NO jugular vein distension
Cardiac Tamponade
* Beck’s Triad* Hypotension* Obstructive shock* Jugular vein distension* Muffled heart sounds* Perform bedside ultrasound* Diastolic collapse of right ventricle (RV)* EKG* Electrical alterans
Traumatic Aortic Rupture
* Rapid deceleration injuries* Tears at ligamentum arteriosum* Widened mediastinum on chest X-Ray
Pulmonary Contusion
* Blunt chest trauma* Respiratory distress* NO paradoxical chest movement with breathing* Chest X-Ray* Shows non-lobar infiltrates* Located near location of injury
Additional Reading
* Abdominal Trauma (EM Clerkship)* Head Trauma (EM Clerkship)* Thoracic Trauma (EM Clerkship)