Figure 2From: Rapid detection of pneumothorax by ultrasonography in patients with multiple traumaA typical patient with pneumothorax correctly diagnosed by US and missed by CXR. This 42 year old male patient sustained injuries from a car accident, and arrived with dyspnea, tachycardia, hypotension and desaturation requiring mechanical ventilation. (a) The supine chest radiograph did not enable a diagnosis of pneumothorax. (b) A rapid exploration of the thorax by US indicated medium left pneumothorax (absence of lung-sliding), associated with left lung contusion and pleural effusion. (c) The diagnosis was confirmed afterwards by chest CT. Arterial oxygenation was improved after chest tube placement.Back to article page