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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma FAST Exam: Image Acquisition
Published on: September 22, 2023
Imaging and Management of Thoracic Trauma
Alex Newbury1, Jon D Dorfman2, Hao S Lo1
1Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA.
Abstract:
Thoracic injury results from penetrating and blunt trauma and is a major contributor to overall trauma morbidity and mortality in the United States. Modern imaging algorithms utilize ultrasound, chest radiograph, and computed tomography with intravenous contrast to accurately diagnose and effectively treat patients with acute thoracic trauma. This review focuses on the etiologies, signs and symptoms, imaging, and management of several life-threatening thoracic injuries including tracheobronchial rupture, pulmonary parenchymal injury, hemothorax, pneumothorax, diaphragmatic rupture, and axial skeleton injury.
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