Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
Using Micro-computed Tomography for the Assessment of Tumor Development and Follow-up of Response to Treatment in a Mouse Model of Lung Cancer
Published on: May 20, 2016
Follow-Up Computed Tomography Requirement of Pediatric Head Trauma Patients with Abnormal Imaging Findings
1Department of Neurosurgery, Usak University Education and Research Hospital, Usak, Turkey; Department of Neurosurgery, Duzce State Hospital, Duzce, Turkey.
Insights
Follow-up brain computed tomography (CT) scans for pediatric head trauma patients with abnormal initial CT findings rarely alter treatment decisions. Surgery is only considered if neurologic deterioration occurs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Neuroradiology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Isolated head trauma is common in children presenting to emergency services.
- Brain computed tomography (CT) is frequently used to evaluate head trauma.
- Abnormal CT findings necessitate careful management decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the follow-up scan rate in pediatric patients with isolated head trauma and abnormal initial CT findings.
- To determine if follow-up CT scans influence treatment protocols, including surgical intervention versus conservative management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 105 pediatric patients with isolated head trauma and abnormal initial CT scans (2014-2017).
- Data collected included demographics, Glasgow Coma Scale score, trauma mechanism, and CT findings.
- Assessment of whether follow-up CT scans altered surgical or conservative treatment decisions.
Main Results:
- 58% of patients were male; 4.7% underwent emergency surgery after initial CT.
- For linear fractures, vomiting was a significant indicator of additional cranial pathology.
- An average of 2.66 follow-up CT scans per patient were performed (total 280).
Conclusions:
- Follow-up CT scans generally do not change the clinical observation or surgical decision for pediatric head trauma.
- Exceptions include cases where patients exhibit neurologic deterioration, warranting further imaging consideration.
Objective:
We investigated pediatric patients presenting with isolated head trauma to emergency service. Where abnormal findings were detected on brain computed tomography (CT) scan, we evaluated the follow-up scan rate and whether follow-up scans affected the treatment protocol.
Methods:
Pediatric patients who presented to emergency service between 2014 and 2017 with isolated head trauma and were later found to have abnormal findings on CT scan were evaluated. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, sex, pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale score at emergency service, trauma mechanism, and abnormal findings on CT scan. We also documented whether follow-up CT scan altered the treatment decision in patients as to whether they underwent surgery or received conservative treatment.
Results:
The 105 head trauma patients with abnormal findings on CT scan consisted of 58 boys (55.2%) and 47 girls (44.8%). After the first brain CT examination, 5 of the patients (4.7%) underwent emergency surgery. For patients with linear fractures, the number of follow-up CT scans was 2.3. For patients with linear fractures, vomiting was found to be a symptom with statistical meaning as a sign of additional cranial pathology compared with headache, drowsiness, and irritability. A total of 280 follow-up CT scans with a mean number of 2.66 per patient were performed.
Conclusions:
Follow-up CT scan for patients with abnormal findings on the initial CT scan after head trauma does not influence the decision to choose clinical observation or surgery except in patients with neurologic deterioration.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
01:29Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
01:25Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings II: Auscultation
Abnormal Heart Sounds
Gallops:
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:31Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities: