Thoracic injuries resulting from intimate partner violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence affects individuals in every part of the world regardless of financial status, age, race, religion, nationality and educational background. Women are often the victims of assault by their partners and their presence in emergency departments is well documented. This report highlights the relatively infrequent occurrence of a traumatic pneumothorax as a result of intimate partner physical abuse and aims to emphasize the crucial role all health care professionals need to play if domestic violence is to be recognized early. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.