Chest trauma may be penetrating or non-penetrating.
If during an injury, the thrust breaks the integrity of the skin (for example, a trauma caused by a firearm or cold weapon), we are dealing with a penetrating wound. A non-penetrating injury is indicated if the sharp object penetrated deep into the skin, but did not damage the muscle.
Non-penetrating chest trauma is common in motor vehicle accidents or falls. Penetrating wounds are most often caused by firearms.
A chest injury means an injury that a patient receives in the chest area - any area between the neck and abdomen.
In trauma, the damage may be to bones, skin, fat, muscles, or any organ in the chest (for example, the heart or lungs).
Examples of chest trauma include:
- Rib fracture;
- Pneumothorax;
- Open pneumothorax;
- Bruises or scratches on the chest;
- Heart damage;
- Esophagus damage and others.
Symptoms vary and depend on the type of chest injury.
The following signs are characteristic:
- Pain in the chest, which worsens when laughing, coughing, sneezing;
- Pain during breathing;
- Shortness of breath;
- Sweating;
- Coughing up blood and others.
Source:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chest-injuries
