CTICasesCough-Induced Rib Fractures and Lung Herniation
▶ Watch on YouTube — age-restricted, cannot embed here
Imaging findings
Chest CT shows a large defect in the lateral chest wall with marked widening of the intercostal space and herniation of a portion of the right lung into the subcutaneous soft tissues. Subacute to chronic rib fractures with callus formation are noted on the affected side. The patient had a history of violent coughing episodes.
Key takeaways
Severe, violent coughing can generate enough intrathoracic pressure to cause rib fractures, intercostal muscle tears, and subsequent lung herniation through the chest wall defect. This rare but dramatic complication is most common in patients with a history of prior thoracotomy or chest wall weakness, though it can occur in normal chest walls under extreme physical stress.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Chordal Systolic Anterior Motion (SAM)Congenital
- Anomalous Left Main Coronary Artery with Intramural CourseCongenital
- Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (L-TGA)Congenital
- Light-Chain Deposition Disease (LCDD) in Sjogren's SyndromeMetabolic
- Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the PleuraNeoplastic
- Tracheal Bronchus supplying Azygos Lobe with Top Pulmonary Vein VariantCongenital
- Bilateral Congenital Anomalies: Left Sequestration with CPAM and Right Basilar Systemic ArterializationCongenital
- Central Bronchial Carcinoid mimicking Swyer-James-MacLeod SyndromeNeoplastic
See all cases from October 9, 2015 →
Related Trauma cases
- Traumatic Intra-pericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Thoracic Splenosis
- Posterior Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation (Left)
- Boerhaave's Syndrome (Esophageal Perforation) Secondary to Food Bolus Obstruction
- Delayed Mediastinal Hematoma Secondary to Sternal and Spinal Fractures
- Grade 3 Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injury