BLUNT TRAUMATIC RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM - SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS

Ultrasonographic features of seven patients with diaphragmatic rupture due to blunt trauma were analyzed. The ruptures occurred at the left hemidiaphragm in four patients and at the right in three. Direct ultra sonographic findings were as follows: disrupted diaphragm in four pati ents; nonvisualized diaphragm in three patients; floating diaphragm in two patients; and herniation of the liver or bowel loops through the diaphragmatic defect in three patients. Indirect sonographic findings included pleural effusion or subphrenic fluid collection in five patie nts and splenic laceration in one. Although the number of patients was limited, ultrasonography was very useful for the diagnosis of diaphra gmatic rupture.