Lung Injury by Impact with a Water Surface

Stewart, William; Spells, K E; Armstrong, John A.

doi:10.1038/175504a0

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Experimental studies of lung contusion have also shown that the primary lesion is beneath the area of impact (Rutherford and Valenta, 1971;Trinkle et al, ;, though not necessarily limited to that spot. The maximum speed at the end of a 50-metre free fall would be approximately 115 km/h, and it has been demonstrated that extensive lung contusions can be produced by the same mechanism in guinea-pigs striking the water at a slightly slower entry speed (Stewart et al, 1955). Thus, the trauma incurred by the patients was of sufficient violence to produce lung contusion, and the finding of a frothy bloodstained sputum further supports the diagnosis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Lung injury following a 50-metre fall into water.

Robertson¹,

Lakshminarayan²,

Hudson³

1978

Thorax

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1978). Thorax, 33,[175][176][177][178][179][180] Lung injury following a 50-metre fall into water. The pulmonary complications of a 50-metre fall to the water (a form of suicide attempt producing 87% mortality) were studied in 15 survivors. Presenting findings included crackles, haemoptysis, and hypotension. The alveolar-arterial oxygen difference was greater than 150 mmHg (20 kPa) in nine subjects on admission. Ventilatory failure developed in 10 of the patients, including all of those with massive haemoptysis. Radiographic findings included pneumothorax and diffuse pulmonary opacities adjacent to the area of impact. Pneumothorax developed within 12 hours of admission in 10 of 15 subjects but was associated with rib fractures in only four subjects. The clinical course of the condition is consistent with the hypothesis that the traumatic pulmonary tears produced interstitial emphysema, with subsequent development of pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumothorax. Pneumothorax is a common complication of severe lung contusion even in the absence of penetrating pleural injury.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%