[Spiral computed tomography in chest injury]

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potentialities of spiral computed tomography (SCT) in recognizing some symptoms of injury-induced chest changes, to define differential diagnostic signs of some complications occurring in the posttraumatic period. Thirty one studies were made in 23 victims with severe mixed chest injury upon their admissions and during follow-ups. CT data were analyzed on axial slices by means of multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions. CT angiography was applied in 8 cases. The CT picture of some pathological symptoms of chest injuries, injury complications, their differential diagnostic criteria were outlined.