title: Pediatric thoracic trauma: Current trends.
abstract: Pediatric thoracic trauma is relatively uncommon but results in disproportionately high levels of morbidity and mortality when compared with other traumatic injuries. These injuries are often more devastating due to differences in children׳s anatomy and physiology relative to adult patients. A high index of suspicion is of utmost importance at the time of presentation because many significant thoracic injuries will have no external signs of injury. With proper recognition and management of these injuries, there is an associated improved long-term outcome. This article reviews the current literature and discusses the initial evaluation, current management practices, and future directions in pediatric thoracic trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Erik G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Caitlin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children׳s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Third Floor Surgical Offices, 1405 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, Georgia 30322. Electronic address: matthew.santore@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Santore
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Pediatric; Pediatric trauma; Thoracic injury; Thorax; Trauma