High energy pediatric fall with minor injuries

Abstract

Fall from height traumas are considered of high energy, being a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially when greater heights are involved. Minor repercussions or expectant health care provided in high-energy falling trauma have been scarcely reported. This case report describes a healthy female child's history, a victim from a high energy trauma, and considerable potential risk of severe injuries, which surprisingly showed minor repercussions. She was founded on the floor, walking, and was brought to the hospital by the local primary trauma emergency service. The initial trauma evaluation found nothing, except a small wound on the chin. A full-body CT-SCAN (Computerized Tomography Scan) was performed and diagnosed with a small laminar pneumothorax, which did not need medical procedures or interventions. She evolved well during the hospitalization, and daily chest X-rays showed the regression of the pulmonary lesion. She had hospital discharge after a few days with no sequels. This case report is probably unique, and apparently, few situations like this were previously published.

Keywords: Blunt trauma; Falls; High energy; High risk; Minor injuries; Pediatric.

Fig. 1

Female patient during her arrival in the emergency room.

Fig. 2

Left laminar pneumothorax and peripheral opacity in the lingula compatible with pulmonary contusion. The initial suspicion of skull base fracture was excluded on CT-SCAN.

Fig. 3

Serial X-ray during hospital stay showing spontaneous pneumothorax regression, without the need of surgical procedures. (A) 03/09, (B) 04/09, (C) 05/09, (D) 07/09.