[Thoraco-abdominal impalement injury with diaphragmatic injury: a case report]

A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of impalement injury due to traffic accident. Chest X-ray on admission revealed normal lung field. CT scans of the chest and abdomen revealed slight pneumothorax and intra-abdominal organ protruding from abdominal cavity. An emergency operation was performed. Diaphragmatic injury was not detected during the abdominal procedure. On exploring the back wound, we found a laceration of 8 cm in diameter in the diaphragm and repaired it. Impalement injuries which have aspects of both blunt and penetrating trauma are uncommon. Accordingly, wound exploration and debridement of fistulous tract are necessary. In the case of thoraco-abdominal injuries by impalement, one should bear in mind the existence of diaphragmatic injury even with normal diaphragmatic shadow on chest X-ray.