injuries and poisoning
Pulmonary Contusion
Introduction
A pulmonary contusion is a bruise of a lung, which causes bleeding and swelling. People have pain, usually due to the chest wall injury, and often feel short of breath. Doctors make the diagnosis with a chest x-ray. Treatment is with oxygen and sometimes a ventilator to support breathing until the bruise heals. (See also Introduction to Chest Injuries .) A severe blow to the chest (as from a motor vehicle crash or fall) can bruise the lung. The bruised lung does not absorb oxygen properly. A large bruise can cause dangerously low levels of oxygen in the bloodstream. A severe pulmonary contusion is potentially life threatening. People may also have Rib Fractures , a collapsed lung ( 