Radiology of lung trauma

Trauma caused by motor vehicle accidents is the leading cause of death among people under the age of 40 years. Pulmonary injuries can be caused by direct trauma to the lungs or can be related to indirect effects of the trauma. The most important pulmonary injuries include lung contusion, pulmonary laceration, aspiration, lung atelectasis, and ARDS. Injuries caused by direct trauma may be visible either at the side of trauma or on the opposite side: the contre-coup effect. Conventional chest film is the most important imaging technique for initial evaluation and follow-up of patients with trauma to the lungs. However, CT is more sensitive and specific to detect and identify pulmonary lesions.