[Thoracic trauma].

Approximately 30% of trauma cases include significant chest trauma as a component. The vast majority of chest trauma is related to motor vehicle accidents. A key of management of patients with blunt thoracic trauma is a high index of suspicion for thoracic injury, in particular aortic injury. This is based on history, including knowledge of the type and force of injury, and clinical examination. The majority of such injuries may be diagnosed with relatively simple tests such as chest radiographs. Transesophageal echocardiography and CT scan are becoming the corner-stone of evaluation of severe chest trauma patients.