Pulmonary Contusion: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

A pulmonary contusion is a damage to the lung resulting from direct trauma to the chest. It is a common injury that can occur after blunt force trauma, such as a car accident, fall, or gunshot wound.

• Primary Pulmonary Contusion: This type of contusion occurs when the chest wall is directly impacted, causing injury to the lungs.
• Secondary Pulmonary Contusion: This type of contusion occurs when the force of an impact is transferred to the lungs through the chest wall and rib cage.
• Tertiary Pulmonary Contusion: This type of contusion occurs when a blunt force trauma is applied to another part of the body, such as a leg or arm, which transfers energy to the lungs via blood vessels or nerves in the chest wall and ribs.

• Pulmonary contusion is a common injury caused by a sudden blunt force trauma to the chest, such as in a car accident or fall.
• It results in swelling, bleeding and bruising of the lung tissue which can lead to breathing difficulties and other complications.
• It can also be caused by a severe blow to the chest from an object such as a baseball or hockey stick, or even an elbow during contact sports.
• In some cases, it can also be caused by medical procedures such as intubation or by inhalation of toxic gases or chemicals.

• Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing due to inflammation of the lungs.
• Chest pain: Pain in the chest area caused by inflammation and irritation of the lungs.
• Coughing up blood: Coughing up blood, or hemoptysis, is a sign of internal bleeding in the lungs.
• Wheezing and crackling: Wheezing and crackling sounds when breathing due to airway obstruction or fluid buildup in the lungs.
• Fatigue: Feeling tired or exhausted due to lack of oxygen supply to body tissues caused by pulmonary contusion.
• Fever and chills: Fever and chills may occur as a result of infection in the injured lung tissue from pulmonary contusion.a

• Wear seatbelts while driving or riding in a vehicle to reduce the risk of chest trauma from a crash.
• Use proper safety gear when participating in contact sports or activities.
• When dealing with dangerous materials or machines, follow all safety precautions.
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke exposure to reduce lung damage and inflammation that can lead to contusions.
• Seek medical assistance immediately if you notice chest pain, shortness of breath, or other pulmonary contusion symptoms after an injury or accident.

• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray is the best way to diagnose a pulmonary contusion. It will show any areas of inflammation or swelling in the lungs, as well as any fluid buildup or other abnormalities.
• CT scan: A CT scan of the chest can be used to diagnose a pulmonary contusion. It can show the extent of the contusion, as well as detect any associated fractures or other injuries. The CT scan can also help determine if there is any fluid buildup in the lungs, which is a sign of more severe lung injury.
• Pulmonary function tests: PFTs (pulmonary function tests) determine how well the lungs are working. Common PFTs include spirometry, which evaluates the amount of air an individual can inhale and exhale, and diffusion capacity, which tests how effectively oxygen is absorbed by the lungs.

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): A life-threatening disorder marked by considerable breathing difficulties, low blood oxygen levels, and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
• Hypoxia: Low levels of oxygen in the blood, which can cause organ damage and death if left untreated.
• Pneumonia: A bacterial, viral, or fungal lung infection that may worsen existing lung damage and make breathing difficult.
• Pulmonary Edema: Fluid buildup in the lungs that can interfere with oxygen exchange and cause difficulty breathing.
• Pleural Effusion: Chest discomfort and breathing difficulties caused by the buildup of fluid between the tissue layers lining the lungs.
• Pulmonary Embolism: A blockage of an artery in the lung caused by a clot or other material that can lead to a heart attack or stroke if not treated promptly.

• Ginger: Ginger is one of the most commonly used herbs to treat pulmonary contusion. Fresh ginger root can be steeped in hot water to make a soothing tea that can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Turmeric: Turmeric contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help to alleviate symptoms of pulmonary contusion. It may be used as a supplement or added to food to enhance taste and improve health.
• Licorice root: Licorice root is said to possess potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities that may help ease the pain brought on by pulmonary contusion. It can be taken as an herbal tea or it’s also available in some forms as a dietary supplement.
• Holy basil oil: Holy basil oil has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine due its multiple healing effects, including its ability to soothe inflammation in the lungs associated with pulmonary contusions or injuries that cause the formation of internal bruises in the lungs or chest area.
• Boswellia: Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is thought to have many beneficial properties when it comes to treating pulmonary contusions because it is believed to contain antiseptic, antifungal, antibiotic and analgesic properties that may help reduce pain and swelling associated with this condition.

• Consume a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Pick lean protein sources such as fish, poultry, beans, and almonds.
• To stay hydrated and thin down the mucus in your lungs, consume plenty of liquids.

• Stay away from foods that have a lot of fat, salt, or sugar.
• Limit processed and fried foods.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages.

• Medications: To help minimise inflammation and swelling in the lungs.
• Oxygen supplementation: To keep the blood's oxygen levels sufficient.
• Chest physiotherapy: To reduce airway secretions and improve lung function.
• Fluid resuscitation: To restore fluid balance and prevent shock due to blood loss from the contusion.
• Thoracotomy: Surgical incision of the chest wall to access the lungs and treat pulmonary contusion.
• Lung Decortication: Removal of damaged tissue from the lungs to improve breathing and reduce pain caused by pulmonary contusion.
• Pleural Ablation: Procedure that removes part of the pleural lining around the lungs to decrease pressure on the affected area caused by pulmonary contusion.
• Pleurectomy: Surgery that removes part or all of the pleural lining around a lung in order to reduce pain and inflammation caused by pulmonary contusion.

• A pulmonologist is the best medical professional to see for a pulmonary contusion.
• A pulmonologist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the respiratory system, including Pulmonary Contusions.
• They can perform tests such as chest X-rays and CT scans to diagnose the injury and determine the severity of the contusion.
• Additionally, they can provide lifestyle advice on activities that should be avoided while recovering from a Pulmonary Contusion.

• Pain relievers: To relieve pain and inflammation, pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or codeine may be recommended.
• Bronchodilators: To open the airways and enhance breathing, bronchodilators like albuterol may be given.
• Corticosteroids: The inflammation in the lungs could be reduced by using these.
• Antibiotics: In the situation that there is an infection present in the lungs, a doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment.

Recovery from a pulmonary contusion usually takes a few weeks, however this time frame might vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the individual's general state of health.

The majority of patients who get the right care and treatment for pulmonary contusion fully recover.

The severity of the injury has a significant role in determining the results of treatment for pulmonary contusions.

In most cases, the effects of treatment are not permanent and the patient may experience some degree of shortness of breath, chest pain, and other respiratory symptoms.

• Monitor the patient closely for signs of respiratory distress, such as increased respiratory rate, difficulty breathing, or decreased oxygen saturation.
• Stay away from activities like contact sports or lifting heavy objects, since they might cause further stress to the chest wall.
• Administer supplemental oxygen as needed to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood.
• Provide pain relief medications to reduce discomfort associated with pulmonary contusion and coughing episodes.
• Encourage deep breathing exercises and other activities that can help expand the lungs and improve ventilation, such as walking and light jogging.
• Incorporate chest physiotherapy techniques into treatment plan to help loosen secretions from airways and prevent atelectasis (collapse of lung tissue).
• Monitor vital signs regularly for changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels during recovery period to assess for any complications that may need further medical attention or intervention

A hospital stay for observation and treatment might cost anywhere from Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 50,000 or more.

Depending on the patient's health, additional charges for prescriptions and testing may be necessary.

Surgery may also be necessary in some cases, which can increase the overall cost significantly.

• Pain: Pulmonary contusions can cause pain in the chest area, which may be mild to severe depending on the severity of the injury.
• Difficulty Breathing: Pulmonary contusions can make it difficult to breathe due to swelling and inflammation in the lungs.
• Coughing: A person with a pulmonary contusion may experience coughing up blood or mucus due to irritation and inflammation in the lungs.
• Fluid Buildup: Pulmonary contusions can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, which can cause difficulty breathing and other complications such as pneumonia or respiratory failure if left untreated.
• Reduced Oxygen Levels: Pulmonary contusions can reduce oxygen levels in the blood, leading to fatigue, confusion, and other symptoms of hypoxia (low oxygen levels).

If you are experiencing symptoms related to pulmonary contusion, you should consult a physician, as they can lead to complications like 'Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), hypoxia, and pneumonia'. Depending on the severity of the problem, the treatment time might vary.