Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
06:57

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Published on: September 13, 2020

4.1K

Pediatric Thoracic Trauma: Recognition and Management

Stacy L Reynolds1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, 3rd Floor Medical Education Building, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.

Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|April 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Thoracic trauma is a severe cause of death in children, despite being less common than other injuries. This review covers the diagnosis and management of chest injuries in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Trauma Surgery
  • Thoracic Injury Management
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Thoracic injuries represent a small fraction of pediatric trauma but a significant cause of mortality.
  • Unique pediatric anatomy influences injury patterns in chest trauma.
  • Effective management requires understanding specific diagnostic and treatment principles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation of thoracic trauma in children.
  • To outline diagnostic modalities for pediatric thoracic injuries.
  • To describe essential management principles for injured children with thoracic trauma.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pediatric thoracic trauma.
  • Analysis of clinical presentation and diagnostic approaches.
  • Synthesis of current management strategies.

Main Results:

  • Thoracic trauma is associated with a high mortality rate in pediatric patients.
  • Child anatomy alters injury mechanisms and presentation compared to adults.
  • Comprehensive management involves timely diagnosis and tailored interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt recognition and appropriate management are crucial for improving outcomes in pediatric thoracic trauma.
  • Understanding age-specific injury patterns is key for effective treatment.
  • This review provides a framework for managing pediatric chest injuries.

Keywords:
ChestChildPediatricThoracic trauma

More Related Videos

Pseudofracture: An Acute Peripheral Tissue Trauma Model10:08

Pseudofracture: An Acute Peripheral Tissue Trauma Model

Published on: April 18, 2011

15.2K
Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation11:19

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on: January 17, 2011

18.6K

Related Concept Videos

Thoracic Aorta01:15

Thoracic Aorta

The thoracic section of the aorta begins at the T5 vertebra and extends to the T12 level at the diaphragm, initially progressing through the mediastinum to the left of the spinal column. Throughout its course in the thoracic segment, the thoracic aorta emits various offshoots known collectively as visceral and parietal branches. The branches that predominantly supply blood to visceral organs are termed visceral branches and include bronchial, pericardial, esophageal, and mediastinal arteries,...
1.8K
The Thoracic Cage: Sternum01:17

The Thoracic Cage: Sternum

The thoracic or rib cage forms the body's thorax (chest) portion. Its primary function in the body is to protect vital organs in the thoracic cavity, such as the heart and the lungs. It consists of 12 pairs of ribs with their costal cartilages and the sternum. The ribs are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12).
The sternum is the elongated bony structure on the anterior side of the thoracic cage. It consists of three parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid...
6.3K
The Thoracic Cage: Ribs01:20

The Thoracic Cage: Ribs

Ribs are curved, flattened bones forming the thoracic cavity wall with the thoracic muscles. There are 12 pairs of thoracic ribs. The posterior ends of all the ribs articulate with the T1–T12 thoracic vertebrae. In contrast,the anterior ends of most ribs attach to the sternum via their costal cartilages.
Parts of a Typical Rib
A typical rib has a head, neck, and body. The posterior end of the rib is called the head, followed by a narrow neck. The head articulates primarily with the costal...
9.0K
Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity01:24

Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity

Breathing, otherwise known as pulmonary ventilation, is the process of air movement into and out of the lungs. The main mechanisms propelling pulmonary ventilation are atmospheric pressure (Patm), intra-pulmonary (Ppul ) or intra-alveolar pressure (Palv) within the alveoli, and intrapleural pressure (Pip) within the pleural cavity.
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs...
6.8K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
277
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
334