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Tracheal/bronchial rupture



Lungs
Lungs


Tracheal/bronchial rupture

Alternative Names:

Torn tracheal mucosa
Symptoms:

Trauma patients who develop a tracheal or bronchial rupture often have other injuries as well. Patients may have difficulty breathing, may cough up blood or other secretions, and may develop subcutaneous air (bubbles of air that can be felt underneath the skin of the chest, neck, arms, and trunk).


Signs and tests:
  • A chest X-ray may show collapse of the lung or evidence of infection.
  • A chest CT scan may show similar findings.
  • Fiberoptic bronchoscopy can show the exact extent and location of disruption of the trachea or bronchi.



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