Sternal fracture: Difference between revisions

(Text replacement - "EKG" to "ECG")
 
(18 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==Background==
==Background==
*Fracture is more likely in restrained passengers than unrestrained passengers
[[File:Sobo 1909 31.png|thumb|Anatomy of the sternum.]]
*Isolated sternal fx is relatively benign
*Fracture is more likely in restrained passengers than unrestrained passengers (high-energy trauma)
*Isolated sternal fracture is relatively benign
**Low mortality (<1%)
**Low mortality (<1%)
**Low intrathoracic morbidity
**Low intrathoracic morbidity
*May be associated with:
*Sternal body fracture most common
**[[Rib Fracture]], [[Pulmonary Contusion]]
 
**Myocardial contusion (1.5%)
===Associated Injuries===
*No association between sternal fracture and aortic rupture
*[[Rib fracture]]
*[[Pulmonary contusion]]
*[[Myocardial contusion]] (1.5%)
*<u>No</u> association between sternal fracture and aortic rupture


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
Line 14: Line 18:
*Ecchymosis, soft tissue swelling
*Ecchymosis, soft tissue swelling


==Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Imaging
{{Thoracic trauma DDX}}
**Most are visible on lateral CXR or on ultrasound


==Management==
==Evaluation==
*ECG
[[File:DisplacedSternalFracture.jpg|thumb|A displaced sternal fracture as seen on lateral X-ray.]]
*Consider troponin
[[File:Sternal fracture CT.jpg|thumb|Comminuted sternal fracture on CT]]
**Surgeons tend to want trop
[[File:PMC3259405 13244 2011 72 Fig25 HTML.png|thumb|Axial CT showing sternal fracture with retrosternal haematoma (black arrow). Also aortic injury (white arrows).]]
**ED providers tend to defer trop if ECG nl
===Workup===
*[[CXR]] or CT


===Diagnosis===
*Most are visible on lateral [[CXR]]
*CT is test of choice if high suspicion


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Management==
{{Thoracic trauma DDX}}
*[[ECG]]
*Consider [[troponin]]


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Isolated, non-displaced fx:
*Isolated, non-displaced fracture:
**If pain control achieved and ECG normal ok to d/c home
**If pain control achieved and [[ECG]] normal ok to discharge home
*Displaced fx or concern for severe pain or respiratory compromise:
*Displaced fracture or concern for severe pain or respiratory compromise:
**Refer for operative fixation
**Refer for operative fixation


Line 40: Line 48:
*[[Traumatic Pneumothorax]]
*[[Traumatic Pneumothorax]]


==Source==
==References==
Tintinalli
<references/>
 


[[Category:Trauma]]
[[Category:Trauma]]

Latest revision as of 13:12, 10 April 2021

Background

Anatomy of the sternum.
  • Fracture is more likely in restrained passengers than unrestrained passengers (high-energy trauma)
  • Isolated sternal fracture is relatively benign
    • Low mortality (<1%)
    • Low intrathoracic morbidity
  • Sternal body fracture most common

Associated Injuries

Clinical Features

  • Anterior chest pain
  • Point tenderness over sternum
  • Ecchymosis, soft tissue swelling

Differential Diagnosis

Thoracic Trauma

Evaluation

A displaced sternal fracture as seen on lateral X-ray.
Comminuted sternal fracture on CT
Axial CT showing sternal fracture with retrosternal haematoma (black arrow). Also aortic injury (white arrows).

Workup

Diagnosis

  • Most are visible on lateral CXR
  • CT is test of choice if high suspicion

Management

Disposition

  • Isolated, non-displaced fracture:
    • If pain control achieved and ECG normal ok to discharge home
  • Displaced fracture or concern for severe pain or respiratory compromise:
    • Refer for operative fixation

See Also

References