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Anno Domini
Moderator

Topics: 293
Posts: 727

06/20/03 - 02:36 AM

A young man who was stabbed in the chest was rushed to a hospital.The stab wound was in the 3rd left intercostal space , just lateral to the sternum.The emergency physician noted that the veins of his face and neck were engorged.

What vital structures may have been injured?
What probably caused the engorgement of his cervical and facial veins?

Delusional
Forum Elite

Topics: 41
Posts: 226

06/20/03 - 03:40 AM

Well....

I wld say a stab wound to the heart and depending on how the knife was directed it cld be right or left heart penetration but right is the likely chance here......Plus the onset of pericardial tamponade.....

Tamponade wld compromise the expanison of the heart including the right ventricle......and that shld lead to raised sytemic venous presuure.....Sup VCava and engorged neck veis...

But it is always essential to mention other phsical findings.....for example a Tension Pneumothorax can have a similar presnetation....i can't ever tell how deep the stab was....if u know what i mean and that is as lethal.....

Anno Domini
Moderator

Topics: 293
Posts: 727

06/23/03 - 12:02 PM

You are good man , you are good !

Delusional
Forum Elite

Topics: 41
Posts: 226

06/24/03 - 01:04 AM

Thanx for the compliment..... grin

10/07/03 - 08:12 PM

"Anno Domini" wrote:
A young man who was stabbed in the chest was rushed to a hospital.The stab wound was in the 3rd left intercostal space , just lateral to the sternum.The emergency physician noted that the veins of his face and neck were engorged.

What vital structures may have been injured?
What probably caused the engorgement of his cervical and facial veins?

:wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

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