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Figure 2 | Critical Care

Figure 2

From: Rapid detection of pneumothorax by ultrasonography in patients with multiple trauma

Figure 2

A 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.

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