Definition of Lung Contusion

Fig 3: Lung contusion

A lung contusion is a bruised lung and this is unlikely to be missed radiologically unless the CXR is early.

A lung contusion is potentially life-threatening since:

• The patient is at risk of hypoxaemia
• Associated injuries are common because of the force involved to cause the injury
• An injured lung is vulnerable to flooding from aggressive fluid resuscitation

Patients with co-morbidities and/or advanced age are particularly at risk from this injury.

Click the image to see a larger version.