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Traumatic ventricular septal defect and mitral insufficiency after a Kebab's shish wound to the chest
1Department of Cardiology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. zgolbasi@usa.net
Insights
Transthoracic echocardiography effectively diagnosed and guided the repair of interventricular septum and mitral valve defects in a young patient with penetrating chest trauma from a kebab skewer. This case highlights the utility of echocardiography in managing complex traumatic cardiac injuries.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Trauma Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Penetrating chest trauma requires prompt and accurate assessment.
- Transthoracic echocardiography is a valuable tool for evaluating cardiac injuries.
- Identifying structural heart damage is crucial for surgical planning.
Observation:
- A 19-year-old male presented with a penetrating chest wound from a kebab skewer.
- Transthoracic echocardiography was performed to assess the cardiac structures.
- The echocardiogram identified defects in the interventricular septum and anterior mitral valve.
Findings:
- The imaging revealed a traumatic interventricular septal defect.
- A concomitant defect in the anterior mitral valve was also visualized.
- Both cardiac defects were successfully repaired using direct sutures.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the critical role of echocardiography in diagnosing and managing penetrating cardiac trauma.
- Timely surgical intervention with direct suturing can effectively repair traumatic septal and valvular defects.
- Echocardiography facilitates precise localization and characterization of cardiac injuries, improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Transthoracic echocardiography has an important role in the assessment of patients with penetrating chest trauma. We report the case of 19-year-old boy who sustained a kebab's shish wound to the chest. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a defect in the interventricular septum and a defect in the anterior mitral valve. Both of them were closed with direct sutures.