Flail chest physical examination

Revision as of 19:19, 8 February 2013 by Michael Maddaleni (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Flail chest Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Flail chest from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Chest X Ray

CT

Other Imaging Findings

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Flail chest physical examination On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Flail chest physical examination

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Flail chest physical examination

CDC on Flail chest physical examination

Flail chest physical examination in the news

Blogs on Flail chest physical examination

Directions to Hospitals Treating Flail chest

Risk calculators and risk factors for Flail chest physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Physical Examination

The characteristic paradoxical motion of the flail segment occurs due to pressure changes associated with respiration that the rib cage normally resists:

  • During normal inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and intercostal muscles push the rib cage out. Pressure in the thorax decreases below atmospheric pressure, and air rushes in through the trachea. However, a flail segment will not resist the decreased pressure and will appear to push in while the rest of the rib cage expands.
  • During normal expiration, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, allowing the abdominal organs to push air upwards and out of the thorax. However, a flail segment will also be pushed out while the rest of the rib cage contracts.

The constant motion of the ribs in the flail segment at the site of the fracture is exquisitely painful, and, untreated, the sharp broken edges of the ribs are likely to eventually puncture the pleural sac and lung, which may be fatal.

Video

{{#ev:youtube|OzBmQi5rgTE}}

References

Template:WH Template:WS