Case reportTraumatic asphyxia combined with diffuse axonal injury

Traumatic asphyxia, a rare, blunt chest trauma-related condition, indicates severe injury and is characterized by subconjunctival hemorrhage, facial edema, cyanosis, and petechiae. This condition mostly appears on the upper chest and face. Rapid oxygen administration with effective ventilation is essential in the treatment of traumatic asphyxia. Prognosis depends on rescue time and associated injuries. Most neurologic symptoms resolve within 24-48 hours and have relatively satisfactory results over a long-term follow-up. We herein report the case of severe and complicated thoracoabdominal compression with a delayed change in consciousness. Susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse axonal injury with multifocal microhemorrhages in the brain stem, basal ganglia, internal capsules, and the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. The patient was in the intensive care unit for more than 21 days.