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Chance fractures in the pediatric population
Tien V Le1, Ali A Baaj, Armen Deukmedjian
1Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Pediatric Chance fractures (PCFs) are serious spinal injuries often caused by car accidents. Associated intra-abdominal injuries are common and require careful evaluation, especially with a seat belt sign.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Pediatric Chance fractures (PCFs) are rare but increasingly reported spinal injuries.
- Existing literature is limited to case reports and short series, hindering comprehensive understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review and synthesize current literature on pediatric Chance fractures.
- To elucidate various aspects of PCFs, including etiology, associated injuries, classification, and management.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Ovid databases.
- English-language articles focusing on pediatric Chance fractures were retrieved and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Seventy-three articles met the inclusion criteria for analysis.
- Key data extracted included mode of trauma, associated injuries, radiological classification, and treatment strategies.
- Motor vehicle collisions are the predominant cause of PCFs.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric Chance fractures are potentially devastating injuries, possibly more common than previously recognized.
- High suspicion for concomitant intra-abdominal injuries is warranted, particularly with a seat belt sign.
- Blunt abdominal aortic injuries require evaluation; MRI is optimal for defining ligamentous injury to guide treatment.
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