A pulmonary laceration results from frank laceration of lung parenchyma secondary to trauma. There is almost always concurrent contusion.
Classification
- type I - compression rupture
- type II - compression shear
- type III - direct puncture / rib penetration
- type IV - adhesion tears
CT usually demonstates regions of pulmonary contusion with added blebs (pneumatocoeles or haemato pneumatoceles) with air fluid levels.
Due to normal pulmonary elastic recoil, lung tissues surrounding a laceration often pull back from the laceration itself. This results in the laceration manifesting at CT as a round or oval cavity, instead of having the linear appearance typically seen in other solid organs.