Thoracic hyperextension injury with complete "bony disruption" of the thoracic cage: Case report of a potentially life-threatening injury.

Background: Severe chest wall injuries are potentially life-threatening injuries which require a standardized multidisciplinary management strategy for prevention of posttraumatic complications and adverse outcome.

Case Presentation: We report the successful management of a 55-year old man who sustained a complete "bony disruption" of the thoracic cage secondary to an "all-terrain vehicle" roll-over accident. The injury pattern consisted of a bilateral "flail chest" with serial segmental rib fractures, bilateral hemo-pneumothoraces and pulmonary contusions, bilateral midshaft clavicle fractures, a displaced transverse sternum fracture with significant diastasis, and an unstable T9 hyperextension injury.