Bronchial rupture in children following blunt chest trauma. Report of five cases with emphasis on radiologic findings.

We present five patients with fracture of the bronchus, in whom the diagnosis of bronchial rupture was first suggested because of persistent leakage of air, atelectasis of a segment of the lung or of the entire lung, mediastinal and deep cervical emphysema. In all patients the bronchoscopy was essential to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the full extent of injury.