BACKGROUND: Minor impact soft tissue (MIST) is an insurance industry concept that seeks to identify late whiplash as a psychosocial phenomenon. However, the medical literature in this area has not been systematically reviewed since the Quebec Task Force's review in 1995. OBJECTIVE: To review the medical literature which claims that late whiplash is an organic phenomenon causing significant disability. METHODS: The medical literature was reviewed in a narrative format. RESULTS: There are a significant number of studies which refute the MIST concept. CONCLUSION: A review of the literature did not support the validity of MIST.