Bilateral scapular fracture in blunt chest trauma: Report of 2 cases

Bilateral scapular fracture (BSF) is a very rare injury, with most of the reported cases in the literature being attributed to electrical shock or epileptic seizures. The significance of scapular fractures in blunt chest trauma extends beyond the bone injury itself, as they often serve as indicators of severe associated thoracic injuries, some of which may be life-threatening. As it is rarely encountered and documented, it might go unrecognized in cases of polytrauma. The likelihood of long-term complications due to the delay in the diagnosis can be avoided by the early recognition and management of such cases. Herein, we present 2 cases of bilateral scapular fractures following severe blunt chest trauma. The CT scan allowed identification of the BSF that was missing on the initial X-ray as well as other serious thoracic and extra-thoracic injuries. Both patients needed operative intervention for severe associated injuries, however the scapular fractures were treated conservatively leading to favorable outcomes.