Computed tomography examination is becoming a standard method of evaluating
injury in blunt trauma. This report describes a previously unreported comp
uted tomography sign of diaphragmatic injury. A retrospective review of ima
ging findings was performed on eight patients with surgically proven trauma
tic diaphragmatic rupture. Thickening of the diaphragm was present on compu
ted tomography in six of eight patients with surgically proven diaphragm ru
pture. Two patients demonstrated previously established computed tomography
signs of diaphragm rupture and two patients bad no findings to suggest dia
phragm injury. Diaphragm thickening is associated with diaphragm rupture an
d may be a useful diagnostic sign in the evaluation of patients with blunt
trauma.