Pectus Excavatum in Blunt Chest Trauma

Conclusion

We have reported the case of a patient who was brought to our hospital because of a complaint of thoracic pain. She probably would not have survived if brought to a hospital without a cardiothoracic surgery department. Because the most common mechanism of blunt cardiac rupture is squeezing of the heart between the sternum and the spine, we believe that patients with pectus excavatum are at a higher risk for heart ruptures and suggest their admission to Level I Trauma Centers.

J Med Case Reports. 2013;7(22) © 2013  BioMed Central, Ltd.

Cite this: Pectus Excavatum in Blunt Chest Trauma - Medscape - Jan 15, 2013.