Radiology Review

Foot Pain Following a Car Crash

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Following a motor vehicle collision, a 60-year-old woman is brought in by emergency medical transport. She was a restrained driver in a vehicle that went out of control, hit a tree, and ended up in a ditch. There was a prolonged extrication time (> 30 minutes) due to extensive damage to the front of the vehicle. On arrival, the patient is awake and alert, complaining primarily of pain in her left hip and right foot. Her medical history is unremarkable. She has an initial Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15. Her vital signs are: blood pressure, 154/100 mm Hg; pulse, 108 beats/min; respiratory rate, 16 breaths/min; and O2 saturation, 100% on room air. Primary survey is otherwise unremarkable. A series of radiographs are ordered; that of the right foot is shown. What is your impression?


 

The radiograph demonstrates an acute fracture of the second, third, and fourth distal metatarsals. The third and fourth are mildly impacted.

In addition, there is a deformity noted within the medial cuneiform, strongly suggestive of a fracture. This was later confirmed by CT. Orthopedic consultation was obtained.

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