INJURY TO THE RESPIRATORY TREE. ROENTGENOLOGIC FINDINGS AFTER SEVERE BLUNT TRAUMA.

The roentgenologic signs of free air in the subcutaneous, mediastinal pleural spaces may be indicative of fractures of the trachea and bronchi and injuries to the larynx. While these findings are also present in otherwise uncomplicated rib fracture and following tracheostomy, care must be taken to make sure that the cause of these abnormalities is not an unrecognized bronchial or tracheal rupture.