Non-traumatic non-cardiac thoracic emergencies in pediatrics are more frequent than thoracic trauma and are responsible for about 10% of all pediatric emergencies. Roughly 30% of children under 15 years old and over 50% of infants under one year of age die from respiratory-related disorders.(1) Since children might suddenly decompensate with any failure of the hemodynamic and respiratory systems, these emergency situations require an early diagnosis in order to establish effective management of time.(2,3)
Currently, it is acknowledged that the most important diagnostic technique for precisely analyzing the central airway, circulatory system, mediastinal abnormalities, and lung parenchyma is multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) employing a low radiation dosage protocol.(4,5)
Aim of the work:
In this study, we reviewed the role of MDCT in pediatric non-traumatic non-cardiac thoracic emergencies.
Patients and Methods:
This study involved 30 children who presented with respiratory distress mainly and other symptoms and signs such as; tachypnea, dyspnea, intercostal retractions with or without cyanosis, acute onset of severe stridor, severe wheezy chest or chest pain. They were referred to the Department of Radiology of Alexandria Main University Hospital from the emergency department of El shatby University Hospital for children during the period from January 2020 to December 2022 with no history of traumatic causes or cardiac pathology.