ABSTRACT
Computed tomography is an important imaging method in pediatric patients in diagnosis and follow-up. It can lead to livesaving actions, but it can be also harmful because of ionized radiation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical indications and impacts of cranial computed tomographies on clinical outcomes of the patients who were admitted to Pediatric Emergency Service.
AMedical reports of 837 computed tomographies which were performed in patients aged in 0 to 18 years with minor head trauma or non-traumatic condition in Pediatric Emergency Service were investigated in an eight year period, retrospectively.
Main complaints were seizure (49.2%) and altered consciousness (19.2%) in patients who underwent computed tomography. The majority of the CT’ s (83.6%) were evaluated as normal. Only 5.2% of patients required neurosurgical consultation.
As a result of the increasing crowding in emergency departments, emergency physicians are faced with challenges to ensure high quality and safe care. Clinical decision making scales and evidence-based guidelines are needed for optimal use of of computed tomographies in Pediatric Emergency Department.
Keywords: Cranial computed tomography, child, minor head trauma