Test 8

Acute rib fractures are often undetected on chest radiographs because they are usually minimally displaced, incomplete, and may be obscured by overlying structures. Follow-up chest radiographs performed 11–14 days after initial skeletal survey radiographs improve rib fracture detection because of their increased conspicuity from callus formation as they heal. They may also be detected on chest radiography performed for other/unrelated indications, as in this case wherein a chest radiograph was performed for ‘fever ?cause’. Vigilance and recognition of these appearances as healing fractures is vital.