Submitted:
31 October 2024
Posted:
31 October 2024
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Abstract
Introduction: Detection of diaphragmatic injury in blunt trauma can be challenging in the absence of surgical exploration. Here we explore the mechanisms of injury and detection modes for patients with blunt trauma who had a diaphragmatic injury. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective review conducted in a level 1 trauma center, 2016 to 2023, inclusive. We included all patients who presented with a blunt traumatic diaphragm injury (TDI). We identified nine patients with TDI using AIS injury description and type of trauma. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity score (ISS), mode of diagnosis, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Results: Of the nine patients identified with blunt TDI, two were associated with motor vehicle collisions, four were pedestrians struck, 1 from stab wounds, and 2 fell from the stairs. The mean ISS for the nine patients is 39.7. Of the nine patients with blunt TDI, four died in the trauma bay – two from traumatic arrest, and two died spontaneously. One patient died two days after admission. Of the four patients who survived, one had a diaphragm injury identified during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for retained hemothorax, and one patient had a diaphragm injury repaired during emergent exploratory laparotomy for other injuries. One patient had a diaphragm injury identified and repaired during diagnostic laparoscopy that was converted to open surgery, and the remaining patient had no diaphragm injury on diagnostic laparoscopy evaluation. Conclusions: Blunt trauma to the torso is usually a consequence of high-energy impact but can also occur following low-energy incidents, such as falls in elderly individuals. Imaging can be useful in detecting such injuries but is not 100% sensitive. A high index of suspicion should be maintained for diaphragmatic injury in high-energy blunt trauma.

Keywords:
Introduction
Cases Presentation
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3

Case 4
Case 5
Case 6
Case 7
Case 8
Case 9
Management and Outcome
Discussion
Conclusion
Funding
Informed consent
Acknowledgments
Declaration of conflicting interests
Ethics approval
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| Cases | Demographic | Mechanism of blunt injury ISS | Mode of detection | Mode of detection ISS | Clinical Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White America female | Fall | CT chest with contrast | 29 | died |
| 2 | non-Hispanic male | Motor vehicle accident | VATS, thoracotomy | 22 | survived |
| 3 | Hispanic male | stabbed | Diagnostic laparoscopy | 9 | survived |
| 4 | Asian female | Pedestrian strike | Exploratory laparotomy | 41 | survived |
| 5 | Hispanic female | fall | CT chest without contrast | 9 | survived |
| 6 | Hispanic female | Pedestrian strike | Resuscitative thoracotomy | 43 | died |
| 7 | Asian female | Pedestrian strike | - | 54 | died |
| 8 | Asian male | Motor vehicle accident | - | 75 | died |
| 9 | Black American male | Pedestrian strike | - | 75 | died |
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