[Diagnostic difficulties in a polytrauma case]. / Trudnosci diagnostyczne i zasady postepowania w przypadku urazu wielonarzadowego.

ABSTRACT

Even with the advent of the present diagnostic possibilities, polytraumas are still a serious problem with a large mortality. Owing to the complexity of the clinical picture, severe craniocerebral injury masks other extracerebral signs and creates a risk of unnoticeable injury of another organ. We describe a case of a 63 year-old patient, who suffered a polytrauma in road accident. A typical treatment of traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage was administered and patient's state of consciousness improved. On 5-th day after the trauma the patient's state deteriorated. The neurological examination didn't reveal intracranial hypertension signs. Increasing anaemia was detected and an extracerebral reason of deterioration was sought. The following x-ray picture of chest was taken revealing elevation of the diaphragm without any other posttraumatic lesions. The patient was selected for thoracosurgical operation because pericordial sac disruption and diaphragm contusion were found. The pericardial sac was sutured. During further treatment the patient's state improved. He was discharged walking and independent.