Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026
10:02
Whole-body PET/MRI of Pediatric Patients: The Details That Matter
Published on: December 19, 2017
15.3K
Computed tomography use patterns for pediatric patients with peritonsillar abscess.
Kasey W Rawlins1, David Z Allen1, Amanda J Onwuka2
1The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Columbus, OH, USA.
Summary
A new policy significantly reduced computed tomography (CT) scans for pediatric peritonsillar abscess (PTA), leading to more surgical interventions. This indicates a more careful approach to imaging in children with suspected PTA.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Imaging
- Radiology Policy Impact
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) is frequently used for diagnosing pediatric peritonsillar abscess (PTA).
- Concerns exist regarding radiation exposure in pediatric patients from unnecessary imaging.
- Institution-wide policies aim to optimize diagnostic imaging utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of an institutional policy on reducing radiation exposure.
- To assess changes in CT imaging use for pediatric patients with suspected PTA.
- To analyze the impact on diagnostic workup and treatment decisions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients (<18 years) with suspected PTA over ten years.
- Comparison of CT utilization rates before and after policy implementation.
- Analysis of ordering physician specialty and treatment outcomes (incision and drainage).
Main Results:
- CT use decreased from 41% pre-policy to 28% post-policy (p=0.004).
- Ordering physician specialty shifted from Pediatrics to Otolaryngology.
- Surgical intervention rates increased significantly post-policy (27% vs. 55%, p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
- An institutional policy successfully reduced CT imaging for pediatric PTA.
- The policy encouraged a more judicious approach to CT utilization.
- Increased surgical intervention rates suggest improved diagnostic accuracy or management post-policy.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Computed Tomography
8.1K
Tomography refers to imaging by sections. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
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...
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...
8.1K
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
214
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
214
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
276
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
276
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
200
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
200
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
323
DefinitionComputed Tomography (CT) of the genitourinary (GU) tract is a non-invasive imaging modality that utilizes X-rays and computer processing to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and adjacent structures such as the adrenal glands.PurposeCT scans of the GU tract serve several diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Diseases: Detects kidney stones, tumors, cysts, and congenital...
323
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
261
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
261