Chest computed tomography with multiplanar reformatted images for diagnosing traumatic bronchial rupture: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Unnoticed bronchial injury during the early stage of resuscitation of multiple trauma is not rare and increases mortality and morbidity. METHODS: Three-dimensional reconstruction of the airways using a workstation connected to a multidetector chest computed tomography (CT) scanner may change the diagnostic strategy in patients with blunt chest trauma with clinical signs evocative of bronchial rupture. RESULTS: In this case report of a young motor biker, a complete disruption of the intermediary trunk was first misdiagnosed using standard chest helical CT and bronchoscopy. Postprocessing procedures including three-dimensional extraction of the tracheobronchial tree were determinants for establishing the diagnosis, and emergent surgical repair was successfully performed. Follow-up using CT with three-dimensional reconstructions evidenced a bronchial stenosis located at the site of the rupture. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates the potential interest of performing three-dimensional reconstructions by extraction of the tracheal-bronchial tree in patients with severe blunt chest trauma suspected of bronchial rupture.