Elbow fractures are among the most common pediatric fractures. Clinical diagnosis is often difficult due to similarities in injury mechanism and presentation. Imaging is usually required to supplement clinical findings to reach a timely diagnosis. Furthermore, imaging findings can direct proper management. Knowledge of pediatric skeletal anatomy and development is essential to this process. In this article, we review imaging features of the skeletally immature elbow and common pediatric elbow fractures.

A risk of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) is hemoptysis, which can range from mild to life-threatening. The reported occurrence of hemoptysis is 1.7% to 14.5%, and the demographic, patient, and procedure characteristics have not been extensively described. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations of demographic, patient, and procedure characteristics with the severity of hemoptysis.A single institution, single group, retrospective, electronic medical record (EMR) review was performed on all hemoptysis events occurring between 2008 and 2018. Demographic, clinical, and procedure variables were extracted from EMRs. Outcome of hemoptysis events was graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Mild-moderate and severe hemoptysis were defined as CTCAE classifications of 1-2 and 3-5, respectively. Associations were generated using logistic regressions and Likelihood Ratio Chi-Square tests.In 10 years, 14,665 PTNB resulted in 231 hemoptysis events occurring in 229 patients; 12.7% (n = 29) of those were severe. The strongest and statistically significant variables associated with an increased likelihood of a severe event, if an event occurred, were cigarette pack years (OR = 1.02, 95% C.I. = 1.01-1.04, p = .020); history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR = 3.68, 95% C.I. = 1.53-8.82, p = .003); core biopsy technique (OR = 8.13, 95% CI = 1.07, 61.40, p = .042), and larger diameter needle (20 g vs. 18 g: OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.09, 6.17, p = .031).PTNB-associated hemoptysis was an uncommon event that was rarely life-threatening. The extent of the patient’s smoking history, the diagnosis of COPD, and core biopsy technique were associated with an increased likelihood of severe hemoptysis.