[Thoracic and abdominal trauma in children]
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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
K Chaumoître1, T Merrot, P Petit
1Service d'Imagerie Médicale, Hôpital Nord, CHU de Marseille, Chemin des Bourrellys, 13915 Marseille cedex 20, France. kathia.chaumoitre@ap-hm.fr
Abstract:
Knowledge of the characteristics of thoraco-abdominal trauma in children is important to optimize the imaging work up while keeping radiation exposure to a minimum. Because of the plasticity of the pediatric rib cage, rib fractures are infrequent, and severe parenchymal injuries may be present in the absence of rib fracture. Mediastinal injuries are unusual. The increased mobility of solid intraabdominal organs combined with a weaker abdominal wall are specific to pediatric patients. First-line imaging typically includes chest radiograph and abdominal US with Doppler imaging. Contrast-material enhanced CT is used as a second-line technique, with delayed imaging in patients with urinary tract lesions. Dedicated pediatric acquisition protocols are mandatory. Follow-up is obtained mainly with US.
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