Severe Chest Pain Following Blunt Thoracic Trauma

Severe Chest Pain Following Blunt Thoracic Trauma

A 37-year-old man is involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision. He was not wearing a seat belt and struck his chest on the steering wheel. He has presented complaining of severe central chest pain and breathlessness. You are the trauma call team leader. His...
‘Ripping’ Chest Pain in a 38-Year-Old Man

‘Ripping’ Chest Pain in a 38-Year-Old Man

A 38-year-old man with Marfan syndrome presents with sudden severe chest pain that radiates through to his back. He describes the pain as being sharp and ‘ripping’ in nature. He smokes 25 cigarettes per day. He is sweaty, nauseated and appears pallid. On examination...