PEDIATRIC CERVICAL ESOPHAGEAL-PERFORATION SECONDARY TO ABUSIVE BLUNT THORACIC TRAUMA

Cervical esophageal perforation secondary to blunt trauma is extremely rare. A case of an 8-week-old infant that sustained a cervical esopha geal perforation from abusive acceleration/deceleration blunt trauma i s presented. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention of an alread y insidious injury can be further delayed by the lack of concise tempo ral events and falsification of data from the abusive caretaker(s). In -depth history taking, documentation and notification of authorities l ays the critical medicolegal groundwork for this unfortunately increas ing problem in our society. Diagnosis and management are discussed. Th e pediatrician, emergency department, nursing staff and otolaryngologi st should have strong suspicions of abuse when esophageal perforation is identified in an infant.