Identification

Fig 8. Large gastrothorax

Symptoms are likely to be masked by associated injuries.

Diaphragm injuries resulting from knives or bullets are more likely to be detected on surgical exploration.

In blunt injuries, particularly those causing an abrupt rise in intra-abdominal pressure, be careful not to interpret a gastrothorax for a large pneumothorax; both will cause respiratory embarrassment (Click the image to see a larger version).