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Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in pediatric age: review of the literature
F Marzona1, N Parri2, A Nocerino3
1Department of Pediatrics, S. Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, University of Udine, Piazzale S. Maria della Misericordia, 1, 33100, Udine, Italy. federico.marzona@gmail.com.
Insights
Pediatric traumatic diaphragm rupture (TDR) is often missed due to severe injuries. Early diagnosis requires a high clinical suspicion, especially with abdominal or respiratory symptoms following trauma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Traumatic diaphragm rupture (TDR) is a rare pediatric injury, often masked by other severe trauma.
- Delayed diagnosis of pediatric TDR increases morbidity and mortality rates.
- Limited reviews exist to guide clinicians on diagnosing pediatric TDR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnostic challenges and initial approach for pediatric traumatic diaphragm rupture.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing TDR in pediatric trauma patients.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive Medline search was performed for pediatric TDR cases (0-18 years) from January 2000 to December 2014.
- Citations were reviewed for eligibility, and reliable data were extracted and synthesized.
- Consensus was used to resolve discrepancies in the data.
Main Results:
- Respiratory and abdominal symptoms are the most common presentations of pediatric TDR.
- Chest X-ray (CXR) detected suggestive findings in 85% of cases.
- CT scans were frequently used to confirm suspected TDR.
Conclusions:
- A high index of suspicion is crucial for diagnosing and managing pediatric TDR.
- TDR should be considered in pediatric patients with trauma and abdominal/respiratory symptoms.
- The rise in non-operative management of blunt abdominal trauma risks overlooking TDR.
Purpose:
Traumatic diaphragm rupture (TDR) is a rare complication of trauma in pediatric age and may be easily missed by the severity of associated injuries so that delayed emergent presentation can occur with increased rate of morbidity and mortality. No review has been available to guide clinicians through the pitfalls and the initial diagnostic approach to pediatric TDR.
Methods:
A Medline thorough search on TDR was conducted using different queries. English language citations were identified during the period of January 2000 through December 2014 limiting the search to pediatric age (0-18 years). Abstracts were reviewed to determine eligibility and texts were obtained for further review. Differences were resolved by consensus and only reliable data were included.
Results:
Most frequently reported presenting symptoms of TDR are respiratory and abdominal. While respiratory symptoms are among the most frequently described at the onset in pediatric and adult series, abdominal symptoms result to be more frequent in adult than pediatric patients. Chest X-ray (CXR) is the first-line imaging exam which is reported to show pathognomonic or suspect findings in 85 %. CT was the second main radiological technique used, in particular to confirm the suspicion of TDR.
Conclusions:
A high clinical index of suspicion is needed to diagnose and effectively manage diaphragmatic rupture. TDR should be kept in mind while dealing with patients assessed for abdominal or respiratory symptoms whenever there is history of trauma or blunt injury especially in children as the increasing of non-operative management of blunt abdominal trauma could result in missing important injuries as TDR.
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