Pediatric chest trauma.

Blunt and penetrating chest trauma in children results from many causes but the major cause is motor vehicle accidents. The trauma induces a variety of injuries to the bony thorax, the pulmonary parenchyma, and mediastinal structures. In recent years, a disturbing increase in iatrogenic chest trauma has occurred in patients, particularly small infants, receiving intensive hospital care. Radiologic evaluation plays an important role in documenting and diagnosing these traumatic and iatrogenic injuries. The various radiologic manifestations of these injuries are described and discussed.