Pneumothorax Caused by an Isolated Midshaft Clavicle Fracture

Patients with isolated clavicle fractures are frequent in the emergency department. However, unusual clavicle fractures complications, such as pneumothorax, are rare. Previous reports indicated that all pneumothorax cases were treated via performing thoracostomy. Conservatively, the treatment of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Najla Feriani, Hassen Ben Ghezala, Salah Snouda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2016-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Emergency Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2409894
Description
Summary:Patients with isolated clavicle fractures are frequent in the emergency department. However, unusual clavicle fractures complications, such as pneumothorax, are rare. Previous reports indicated that all pneumothorax cases were treated via performing thoracostomy. Conservatively, the treatment of the clavicle fracture, like in our case, was successful. Despite the fact that isolated clavicle fractures rarely cause complications and generally heal with immobilization, serious complications may occur requiring urgent treatment. It has been proven that physical examinations, with particular attention to the neurovascular and chest examinations, and radiographs of the clavicle are necessary to prevent overlooking these potentially dangerous complications.
ISSN:2090-648X
2090-6498