Pediatric Thoracic Trauma

Trauma continues to be the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population older than 1 year [40]. Thoracic trauma accounts for only a small percentage overall; however, it is often seen in combination with abdominal and head trauma. The majority of thoracic trauma is a result of blunt injury, secondary to motor vehicle related accidents and falls, with penetrating thoracic trauma being less frequent in the pediatric population. Recent reports and studies have advocated for less use of advanced imaging in the setting of thoracic trauma, with a screening trauma chest radiograph being the workhorse in the emergency setting [13, 18]. However, with decreased emphasis on advanced imaging, there is a risk for missed injuries.