E5145. A Pain in the Neck: Pediatric Neck Emergencies
Authors
Rachana Borkar;
YNHH Bridgeport Hospital
Aishwariya Vegunta;
YNHH Bridgeport Hospital
Namita Bhagat;
YNHH Bridgeport Hospital
Rasha Ismail;
YNHH Bridgeport Hospital
Ajay Malhotra;
YNHH
Background
This study aims to enumerate and describe pediatric neck pathologies in the emergency department and their clinical outcomes. We aim to study the epidemiology and incidence of pediatric neck pathology in emergency departments and classify them into traumatic, infectious, and miscellaneous categories.
Educational Goals / Teaching Points
Literature review of pediatric patients less than 21 years of age, presenting to the emergency department with neck pathology, secondary to trauma, infection, or miscellaneous causes. Evaluating their imaging findings and clinical outcomes.
Key Anatomic/Physiologic Issues and Imaging Findings/Techniques
Majority of cases with neck complaints in children presenting to the emergency department are due to trauma or infection, which are managed as outpatients. When signs and symptoms suggest an emergent cause, CT provides a definitive diagnosis. The evaluation of a child presenting with acute neck complaints should be based on history and physical examination. The specific imaging protocol depends on the patient's clinical status. Radiography, ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced CT all may be appropriate modalities for an initial examination. In difficult or complex cases, MRI may offer additional detail with respect to the extent of disease.
Conclusion
Literature review identified trauma (including NAT and sport injuries) and infection as the most common causes of pediatric neck emergencies. Other causes of children presenting to the emergency department included tumors, foreign body, and less common causes, such as inflammatory conditions, animal bites, and allergies.
