Aim:To analyze the differences in acute traumatic pathologies (especially rib fractures) based on age and gender in patients with blunt thoracic trauma.
Material and Method:411 patients aged 18-years or more with acute thoracic traumatic pathology on CT-examination were included in the study. The patients were classified into 3 age groups: Group-1:18-44 years, Group-2:45-69 years, and Group-3:70 years or more. Rib fractures were classified into 3 groups based on their level on the coronal plane(upper(1st-4th ribs), medium(5th-8th ribs) and lower(9th-12th ribs)) and axial plane(anterior, lateral and posterior).
Results:Rib fractures were found to be more common in men(69%) to women(53%)(p=0.002). The incidence of fractures was seen to increase with age(p=0.001; r=615).Rib fractures were most commonly found in the middle ribs(5th-8th ribs)in all-age-groups.The incidence of fractures in the upper ribs was significantly lower in the advanced age than the other age groups(p=0.002).Fractures were least commonly found in the anterior part of the rib in all-age-groups.Rib fractures were observed at a higher rate in the lateral part in young adults unlike the other age groups(p=0.001).A significant difference was found between the age groups in favor of young adults(group 1) in terms of the presence of parenchymal contusion without rib fracture(p=0.014).
Conclusion;Rib fractures are more common in men than women.Fractures possibility of in the upper rib structures is lower in the advanced age group.Fractures in the lateral part of the ribs are more common in young people.One should be aware of the possibility of parenchymal contusion without a rib fracture in the young age group.