Pulmonary Laceration

Fig. Axial CT image shows a 'hole' in the lung with air-fluid level (arrow), surrounded by ground glass opacity (arrowheads) in a trauma patient. Findings represent pulmonary laceration surrounded by contusion.

Facts

• Laceration in the lung tissue results in a 'hole' instead of a linear tear because of elastic recoil of the lungs stretching the tear.
• Most lacerations in an acute phase contain blood and air (hematopneumatocele).
• Most lacerations are surrounded by contusion.
• Four types of lung laceration include compression rupture (central location), compression shear (paravertebral), rib penetration tear (near rib fracture) and tear associated with underlying lung fibrosis.
• Most common type of pulmonary laceration is a compression rupture tear.
  

This patient had a compression-shear pulmonary laceration.

Reference:
Kaewlai et al. MDCT of blunt thoracic trauma. RadioGraphics 2008 (October)