Thoracic CT findings and patient demographics associated with traumatic pneumothorax: recommendations for the emergency department.

Background: People with thoracic trauma often present to the emergency department with low-energy injuries and sustain rib fractures. This study aimed to assess the risk of traumatic pneumothorax in a patient cohort based on the radiological characteristics of rib fractures, along with patient and environmental variables.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of demographic characteristics, the number and nature of rib fractures, the date of trauma, and the correlation between pneumothorax and rib fractures in patients treated in the thoracic surgery departments of three centers between May 2021 and August 2024.