Citation

Hechter S, Huyer DW, Manson D. Pediatr. Radiol. 2002; 32(12): 902-906.

Affiliation

Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00247-002-0807-3

PMID

12447602

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sternal fractures are rare injuries in children. The rarity of this injury is likely due to both the relative plasticity of the pediatric thorax and to the difficulty in establishing a radiographic diagnosis without dedicated views. Current literature suggests that this injury in young children is highly specific for abusive injury. HYPOTHESIS: Sternal fractures are not highly specific for abusive injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective radiographic and clinical chart review of all documented sternal fractures over an 11-year period at a large pediatric hospital. RESULTS: Of 12 children with sternal fractures identified, four were < or = 2 years of age and eight were > or = 3 years of age. The mechanism of injury was suspicious for child abuse in two children. Both of these children were < or = 2 years of age. In one toddler, an unwitnessed injury resulted in extensive initial familial anxiety until abusive injury was excluded. CONCLUSION: Sternal fractures are unusual injuries, yet they, in themselves, are not highly specific for abusive injury.

Language: en