[Roentgenographic pulmonary findings in long term ventilated multiple trauma patients (author's transl)]

An analysis of roentgenographic pulmonary findings was done in 46 multiple trauma patients on controlled long term ventilation. 67% of the patients sustained thoracic trauma. The most common lung changes were interstitial and intraalveolar pulmonary edema and inflammatory pneumonia related to contusions, atelectasis and aspiration. The pulmonary lesions predominantly occurred in the middle and lower portions of each lung. The thoracic trauma group had four times as many lung changes than the non-thoracic trauma group. Daily roentgenographic controls are necessary in multiple trauma patients to explain a deterioration in pulmonary gas exchange leading to respiratory failure. To demonstrate discrete lesions in lung parenchyma, we recommend the high voltage technique for chest X-rays in intensive care units.