A 57-year-old man is brought to your facility as a trauma code. He was riding a motorcycle on the highway, traveling approximately 45 to 50 mph, when the car in front of him abruptly stopped. He hit the car and was thrown from his bike. He believes he briefly lost consciousness but recalls emergency personnel tending to him.
On arrival, he is awake and alert, complaining of pain in his neck, left arm, and left lower leg. Medical history is significant for borderline hypertension and a previous accident that resulted in an emergency laparotomy.
Primary survey reveals stable vital signs: blood pressure of 157/100 mm Hg; heart rate, 110 beats/min; respiratory rate, 20 breaths/min; and O2 saturation, 98% with supplemental oxygen. Pupils are equal and reactive; there are slightly decreased breath sounds on the left side.
Abdominal exam appears benign. There is decreased mobility and pain in the patient’s left upper and left lower extremities, although no obvious deformity is noted.
Preliminary chest radiograph is obtained before the patient is sent for CT. What is your impression?
