Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 5
DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-5-87-92
E.I. Matkevich1, A.N. Bashkov1, Yu.A. Bazhanova1, V.I. Doga1,
I.V. Ivanov2,O.V. Parinov1
The Use of Radiation Diagnostic Techniques in Traumatic Pneumothorax (Clinical Case)
1 A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia
2 I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
Contact person: E.I. Matkevich, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the informative value of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and radiography in the radiation diagnosis of traumatic pneumothorax using the example of a clinical case.
Material and methods: The examination data of patient I., 68 years old, who was admitted to the clinic after a chest injury with complaints of pain in his side and difficulty, painful breathing, were analyzed. Due to a suspected compression fracture of the vertebrae, the patient underwent MRI, CT, and then chest X-rays.
Results: In the presented clinical case, all three methods of radiation diagnostics (MRI, CT and radiography) allowed to detect rib fractures and pneumothorax of the right lung during the initial examination. On the chest X-rays dated 02/17/2025 in the direct projection (image on exhalation, standing position) a strip of free air with a thickness of up to 5.0 cm at the apex and up to 1.5 cm in the middle sections is determined an indication for emergency drainage of the pleural cavity. Inhomogeneous darkening of the lower sections of the right lung field without clear visualization of the contours of the dome of the diaphragm and sinuses due to the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity with a horizontal upper border along the anterior sections of the 5th-6th ribs. Fracture of the posterior section of the 8th rib on the right with displacement by the thickness of the cortical layer. A small (clinically insignificant) fracture of the middle segment of the 9th rib on the right was revealed during a CT scan.
Conclusion: Based on the principle of minimal sufficiency, it can be assumed that radiography is the method of choice in the diagnosis of traumatic pneumothorax, has a high degree of visualization, allows not increasing radiation risks of long-term consequences and provides the physician opportunity to repeatedly monitor the drainage position and the condition of the lung tissue.
Keywords: radiation diagnostics, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, radiography, traumatic pneumothorax, drainage of the pleural cavity, clinical case
For citation: Matkevich EI, Bashkov AN, Bazhanova YuA, Doga VI, Ivanov IV, Parinov OV. The Use of Radiation Diagnostic Techniques in Traumatic Pneumothorax (Clinical Case). Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(5):87–92. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-5-87-92
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PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financing. The study had no sponsorship.
Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.
Article received: 20.05.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.06.2025.