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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Whole-body PET/MRI of Pediatric Patients: The Details That Matter
Published on: December 19, 2017
Computed tomographic imaging in the pediatric patient with a seatbelt sign: still not good enough
Tammy R Kopelman1, Ramin Jamshidi1, Paola G Pieri1
1Division of Burns, Trauma, and Surgical Critical Care, and Department of Surgery, Maricopa Medical Center, 2601 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
Purpose:
Considering the improvements in CT over the past decade, this study aimed to determine whether CT can diagnose HVI in pediatric trauma patients with seatbelt signs (SBS).
Methods:
We retrospectively identified pediatric patients with SBS who had abdominopelvic CT performed on initial evaluation over 5 1/2years. Abnormal CT was defined by identification of any intra-abdominal abnormality possibly related to trauma.
Results:
One hundred twenty patients met inclusion criteria. CT was abnormal in 38/120 (32%) patients: 34 scans had evidence of HVI and 6 showed solid organ injury (SOI). Of the 34 with suspicion for HVI, 15 (44%) had small amounts of isolated pelvic free fluid as the only abnormal CT finding; none required intervention. Ultimately, 16/120 (13%) patients suffered HVI and underwent celiotomy. Three patients initially had a normal CT but required celiotomy for clinical deterioration within 20h of presentation. False negative CT rate was 3.6%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT to diagnose significant HVI in the presence of SBS were 81%, 80%, and 80%, respectively.
Conclusions:
Despite improvements in CT, pediatric patients with SBS may have HVI not evident on initial CT confirming the need to observation for delayed manifestation of HVI.
Level Of Evidence:
Level II Study of a Diagnostic Test.
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