CXR Case 020
16 year old male with severe burns to 40% of his body surface
Describe and interpret this CXR
CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION
There is bilateral multifocal airspace opacification, mainly in the perihilar and lower zones.
* There are four large bore chest tubes in situ *
* There is an ETT, NGT and right subclavian vascular line *
* The multiple metallic artifacts are burns dressings*
CLINICAL CORRELATION
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can develop as a result of systemic inflammation or in this case may be related to inhalation injury.
Secondary pneumothorax from barotrauma and lung parenchymal and pleural necrosis are well recognized.
CLINICAL PEARLS
ARDS has a mortality rate approaching 50%.
* Survivors are often left with chronic lung disease, with healing by fibrosis.*
Prof Fraser Brims Curtin Medical School, acute and respiratory medicine specialist, immediate care in sport doc, ex-Royal Navy, academic| Top 100 CXR | Google Scholar | ICIS Course ANZ