Der Unfallchirurg
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Chest sonography after blunt thoracic trauma allows the immediate institution of emergency treatment before X-ray examination. Especially in cases of hemothorax or/and hemopericardium, ultrasound is more specific and sensitive than conventional X-ray. A definite diagnosis of pneumothorax is possible when the typical sonographic findings are present: there is a strong line of reflexes along the chest wall, with complete extinction. ⋯ In 2 cases rupture of the diaphragm seemed possible on ultrasound but was excluded by later (ultrasound) controls, and in 2 cases with ultrasound findings suggestive of pneumothorax subsequent X-ray examination confirmed the diagnosis of mantle pneumothorax. At follow-up, 29 pathologic findings according to radiographic examination were recognized on ultrasonography as liquid or organized pleural effusions or pulmonary infiltrates. False-negative or false-positive findings (apart from two supposed diaphragmatic injuries) were not recorded with ultrasound.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)