A 32-year-old male sustains a stab wound to the left supraclavicular fossa. He develops progressive breathlessness with absent breath sounds on the le...

Question

A 32-year-old male sustains a stab wound to the left supraclavicular fossa. He develops progressive breathlessness with absent breath sounds on the left. His left arm is weak and he has a palpable mass in the left neck. What combination of injuries should be suspected?

Accepted Answer

Subclavian vessel injury (haematoma), pneumothorax, and brachial plexus injury - zone I neck/supraclavicular wounds can injure all three structures simultaneously

Answer

Phrenic nerve injury causing diaphragmatic paralysis only

Answer

Isolated pneumothorax only

Answer

Oesophageal perforation with mediastinitis

Answer

Cervical spine fracture with cord injury

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Supraclavicular Penetrating Injury

A 32-year-old male sustains a stab wound to the left supraclavicular fossa. He develops progressive breathlessness with absent breath sounds on the left. His left arm is weak and he has a palpable mass in the left neck. What combination of injuries should be suspected?