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Asymptomatic radiological changes in computer tomography in children with head trauma
Aleksandra Marciniak1, Grażyna Mielnik-Niedzielska1
1Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii Dziecięcej, Foniatrii i Audiologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lublinie, Polska.
Insights
Asymptomatic maxillary sinus changes are common in children with head trauma, with mucosal thickening being the most frequent finding. Maxillary opacification may indicate more serious conditions requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) is a vital imaging tool in emergency departments.
- Increased CT use in children leads to incidental findings in healthy individuals.
- Evaluating maxillary sinus changes in pediatric head trauma is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of maxillary sinus radiological abnormalities in children with head trauma.
- To characterize the types and frequencies of these findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of CT scans from 425 pediatric patients.
- Patients admitted to the Emergency Unit of the University Children Hospital in Lublin with head trauma were included.
Main Results:
- Maxillary sinus findings were observed in 19.06% of cases (81/425).
- Maxillary mucosal thickening was the most common abnormality (approx. 12% of all cases).
- Isolated maxillary opacification and rarer findings like polyps were noted in specific age groups.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic radiological changes in pediatric head trauma CT scans are frequent.
- Maxillary mucosal thickening is the most prevalent incidental finding.
- Maxillary opacification warrants further investigation; sinusitis should not be diagnosed solely on imaging findings.
Introduction:
Computed tomography is an important imaging technique in Emergency Units. Thanks to its popularity, radiological changes are found in healthy children more commonly. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the incidence of maxillary sinus radiological changes in children with head trauma who admitted to the Emergency Unit of the University Children Hospital in Lublin.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective analysis of computed tomography scans of children suffering from head trauma admitted to the Emergency Unit of the University Children Hospital in Lublin was carried out. A group of 425 patients was analyzed.
Results:
Maxillary findings were present in 81 cases (19.06%); in 38 patients (8.94%) the changes were unilateral, while in 43 (10.12%) they were bilateral. Maxillary mucosal thickening was the most common radiological abnormality, present in almost 12% of the investigated cases (approximately 62% of all revealed changes). Maxillary total opacification as an isolated finding was found in younger children only. Retention cysts and maxillary polyps were found with a similar low frequency as maxillary opacification but in elder children only.
Discussion:
Asymptomatic radiological changes in computed tomography scans are common. Maxillary mucosal thickening is the most frequent asymptomatic abnormality. Maxillary polyps and pseudocysts are rare in the paediatric population. Maxillary opacification suggests other more significant pathologies and requires further diagnostics. Physicians should avoid diagnosing patients with sinusitis without proper examination and based on radiological abnormalities only. Paediatric patients with revealed maxillary changes should remain under regular laryngological control.
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