Miraculous Recovery After Penetrating Trauma to the Mediastinum
Allen Mao1, Hunaid N Rana2, William Janika Brackett2
1Radiology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine/USA Health University Hospital, Mobile, USA.
Abstract:
Traumatic injury to the mediastinum can damage critical surrounding structures, including the pericardium, aorta, and bronchial tree. We highlight a miraculous case of a 13-year-old female with no past medical history who presented to the emergency department after being impaled in the chest by a metal fence post. After median sternotomy, the foreign object was removed, and the patient fortunately recovered with no permanent sequelae. The radiographic features of the injury are described, and potential unseen cardiovascular and respiratory complications are discussed.
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