Scenario | Recommendation |
Routine Chest CT in pediatric blunt trauma | Rarely useful; reserve for injuries requiring intervention. |
Abnormal mediastinum on CXR with high-energy trauma | Perform CTA of the chest. |
Suspected sternoclavicular dislocation | Perform portal venous phase chest CT. |
Child abuse (for rib fracture assessment) | Perform low-dose non-contrast chest CT. |
Isolated pneumothorax, hemothorax, or fractures | Not an indication for chest CT. |
Symptoms after chest drain placement | Consider CT for operative targets at surgeon discretion. |
Blunt esophageal injury (rare) | Consider CT for large pneumomediastinum with torso injury. |
Thoracoabdominal penetrating trauma | Use CT at trauma surgeon’s discretion. |
Unstable penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma | Skip CT; proceed to OR for hemorrhage control. |
Keywords: Chest, CT