Original Research

Spectrum of multi-detector computed tomography imaging findings of thoracic vascular injuries secondary to blunt chest trauma: Correlation with vascular intervention and patient outcomes

Sithembiso M. Langa, Nondumiso N.M. Dlamini, Balasoobramanien Pillay
South African Journal of Radiology | Vol 23, No 1 | a1709 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v23i1.1709 | © 2019 Sithembiso M. Langa, Nondumiso N.M. Dlamini, Balasoobramanien Pillay | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 December 2018 | Published: 23 July 2019

About the author(s)

Sithembiso M. Langa, Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Nondumiso N.M. Dlamini, Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Balasoobramanien Pillay, Department of Vascular /Endovascular Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Thoracic vascular injuries following blunt chest trauma are the second leading cause of trauma-related deaths. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is the imaging modality of choice in detecting these injuries.

Objectives: To determine the spectrum of vascular injuries detected on MDCT imaging in patients who sustained blunt chest trauma, and to assess the various types of management options and patient outcomes.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed archived medical records of polytrauma patients who presented with blunt chest trauma and confirmed vascular injury on MDCT and vascular intervention images between May 2015 and August 2018 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.

Results: Thirty-nine patients with vascular injury findings were analysed. The injury spectrum comprised: 15 aortic injuries (AI), 19 non-aortic injuries (NAI), 4 combined (AI and NAI) and 1 aorto-venous injury. A majority of males (69%) with an overall mean age of 39 years constituted the study cohort. The commonest injury mechanisms included motor vehicle collisions (61%) and pedestrian accidents (28%); the remaining 11% were shared amongst motorbike accidents or falling from a moving train or a height. The subclavian artery (36%) was the most common anatomical location in the NAI and the frequent imaging finding was vessel occlusion (55%). The most common imaging findings in AI were the indirect signs (20.5%) followed by a grade III injury (15.4%). Six patients with a grade III AI were successfully managed with endovascular repair.

Conclusion: A thorough knowledge of blunt vascular injury spectrums and imaging manifestations is critical when interpreting MDCT scans. Awareness of the mechanism of injury will trigger a high index of suspicion and probe a search for a vascular injury.


Keywords

Blunt chest trauma; MDCT findings; vascular injuries; vascular intervention; Durban.

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Crossref Citations

1. Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury
Daniela Mazzaccaro, Paolo Righini, Fabiana Fancoli, Matteo Giannetta, Alfredo Modafferi, Giovanni Malacrida, Giovanni Nano
Journal of Clinical Medicine  vol: 12  issue: 8  first page: 2903  year: 2023  
doi: 10.3390/jcm12082903