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Eur J Pediatr Surg 2013; 23(06): 444-453
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1361924
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Computed Tomographic Scan in Head Trauma: What is the Rational in Children?

Erich Sorantin
1   Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
,
Helmut Wegmann
2   Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
,
Paola Zaupa
2   Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
,
Hans-Joachim Mentzel
3   Division of Pediatric Radiology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
,
Michael Riccabona
1   Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

31 October 2013

04 November 2013

Publication Date:
10 December 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the consequence of external forces that traumatically injure the brain. Closed head injury is common in children and is estimated to result in 650,000 to 1 million emergency department visits annually with approximately 7,400 deaths in the United States. Mild TBI is the most common form of closed head injury and constitutes 80 to 90% of all the TBI. Cranial computed tomography (cCT) is performed in usually more than 50% of the patients, thus, resulting in an extreme overuse with the inherent risk for inducing malignancies. The purpose of this article is to review current approaches, recommendations, and guidelines on pediatric head trauma with special emphasis on cCT. Therefore, after an overview on classification and TBI scores, diagnostic imaging, and management rules for clinical important TBI, as well as own experience including remarks on cCT technique will be discussed.

Keywords

brain injuries - computed tomography - children
 

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