Penetrating trauma among pediatric patients, while less common than among adults, carries significant morbidity and mortality. In the pediatric population, penetrating trauma to the torso may be due to accidental injuries with sharp objects, animal bites, and, increasingly, gunshot wounds. While children with penetrating torso trauma are often managed following the same protocols as adults, pediatric patients are anatomically more vulnerable to multi-organ involvement due to the disproportionately large size of their organs, relative paucity of musculature, and elasticity of the ribcage. In addition to solid and hollow organ involvement, blood vessel injuries are crucial to recognize given the smaller intravascular volume of pediatric patients. The mainstay of imaging evaluation of penetrating trauma to the torso centers on contrast-enhanced CT, often with CT angiography. These modalities enable the radiologist not only to assess for visceral injury, but also to detect the trajectory of penetration, the presence of retained foreign bodies, and any signs of active bleeding. Given the relative rarity of penetrating trauma among children, pediatric radiologists play a pivotal role in promptly identifying injury extent, recognizing subtle patterns of organ/vessel involvement, and informing appropriate surgical management. The objectives of this educational poster are as follows: 1. To review the demographic risk factors associated with pediatric penetrating trauma to the torso as may be seen at an urban Level 1 trauma center. 2. To detail the common causes of penetrating trauma (e.g. gunshot wounds) and characterize how injury patterns among children are affected by pediatric anatomy. 3. To provide radiologists with pediatric-specific imaging protocol recommendations that can ensure comprehensive evaluation of injury and help guide further management. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2026 Annual Meeting , 2026

Authors: Kerwin Clara, Ahmed Umer, Tippetts Madison, Setty Bindu

Keywords: Trauma, Penetrating Complications, Anatomy