Citation

Lam SH, Place R. Ann. Emerg. Med. 2008; 51(4): 375-377.

Affiliation

Boston Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics Emergency Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. hiu-fung.lam@bmc.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.05.018

PMID

17692429

Abstract

Fallen television sets can cause significant injuries in toddlers. We report the case of a child with a focal brainstem injury who presented with subtle physical examination findings, which eventually led to aspiration and airway compromise. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion and performing a careful physical examination in traumatized, preverbal children who sustain an apparently minor head injury. The limitation of computed tomography studies in detecting brainstem injury is also discussed.

Language: en