Occult Traumatic Loculated Tension Pneumothorax—A Sonographic Diagnostic Dilemma

Abstract

This case outlines a rarely seen disease in prehospital emergency care—namely, a traumatic loculated tension pneumothorax. Prehospital thoracic ultrasound as part of a standard extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (EFAST) algorithm failed to diagnose this life-threatening injury. We have subsequently added scanning the lateral chest wall in the fifth intercostal space to the algorithm.

Key words: :

• traumatic
• loculated
• pneumothorax
• prehospital
• ultrasound