ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the diagnostic values of X-ray and CT examinations for the traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. Methods Totally 17 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic rupture were retrospectively analyzed, who underwent X-ray chest radiograph and 64-slice spiral CT examinations as well as coronal and sagittal imaging by multi-planar reconstruction with GE ADW 4.6 workstation. Results Of the 17 patients, there were 15 ones had the rupture occurred on the left side (93.7%), one case on the right side (6.3%) and the remained one had no diaphragmatic injury;there were 10 ones of diaphragmatic contour discontinuity, 6 ones of intrathoracic hernia, 2 ones of cervical stenosis, one case of hanging sign and two cases of falling viscera sign. Conclusion Routine chest X-ray radiography has difficulty in diagnosing diaphragmatic rupture, while CT multiplanar imaging contributes to determining traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. Diaphragmatic rupture may occur after multiple trauma, and CT with multiplanar reformations has to be used as the routine examination for diagnosing diaphragmatic rupture.