The following are the major conditions or complications that may be contributed to by chest trauma (thoracic injury):
Respiratory system (J00-J99)
- Bronchial rupture (bronchial tear).
- Bronchotracheal injury – detachment or tearing of the trachea or bronchi.
- Chylothorax (accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space).
- Hematothorax (accumulation of blood in the pleural space).
- Hematopneumothorax – pneumothorax and hematothorax occur in combination.
- Pulmonary contusion (pulmonary contusion) (12%)
- Lung rupture (lung tear)
- Pneumothorax – collapse of the lung caused by an accumulation of air between the visceral pleura (lung pleura) and the parietal pleura (pleura parietalis); e.g., due to pulmonary rupture (rupture of the lung) (20%)
- Respiratory insufficiency (respiratory insufficiency; disturbance of external (mechanical) breathing), with the consequence of hypoxia (lack of oxygen supply to the tissue) – Cave: often occurs after 1-2 hours!
- Tension pneumothorax – life-threatening form of pneumothorax; e.g., due to lung rupture.
- Tracheal rupture (tear of the trachea) or injury.
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90).
- Hypovolemia – insufficient amount of blood in the vascular system.
Cardiovascular system (I00-I99)
- Aortic rupture (rupture of the aorta).
- Cardiac contusion (heart contusion)
- Circulatory insufficiency (failure of circulatory function).
- Pericardial tamponade – restriction of the heart muscle due to fluid accumulation in the pericardium.
Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93).
- Esophageal injury (injury to the esophagus).
- Diaphragmatic rupture (tear of the diaphragm).
Injuries, poisonings, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98).
- Vascular injury (6%), e.g., pulmonary artery injury.
- Rib fracture (rib fracture) or rib serial fracture (at least three adjacent ribs are affected) (49%)
- Sternal fracture (sternum fracture)
- Thoracic contusions (internal organs are not injured, no fractures (broken bones)).
Further
- Skin emphysema (air/gas accumulation in the skin).
Prognostic factors
- An unstable thorax is more often associated with complications as it progresses.