Obligatory medical device diagnostics.
- Electrocardiography (ECG).
- X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax), in two planes [images all injuries in blunt trauma/injury to the thorax only 29% of the time]
- Thoracic sonography – imaging of the intrathoracic organs (excl. the heart) by ultrasound.
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and mandatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Echocardiography (echo; cardiac ultrasound) – for suspected structural heart disease.
- Abdominal sonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle).
- Computed tomography of the thorax/chest (thoracic CT) – for further diagnostics.
Further notes
Common occult (“hidden”) injuries after blunt trauma to the thorax on plain radiography include:
- Diaphragmatic injuries
- Hematothoraces
- Pulmonary Contusions
- Pneumothoraces
- Rib series fractures
- Sternal fractures
- Large vessel injuries