Stumpfes Thoraxtrauma mit Bronchusruptur [Blunt thoracic trauma with bronchial rupture]

Diagnosis of bronchial rupture after blunt chest trauma may be difficult and this is demonstrated on behalf of four patients treated in our institution. Bronchoscopy is mandatory for exclusion or confirmation of a bronchial rupture. In addition spiral CT scan was found to be helpful for diagnosis and localisation of bronchial injury. Early diagnosis allows prompt surgical therapy that will avoid irreversible loss of pulmonary parenchyma