A systematic review and meta-analysis of incidental findings in computed tomography scans for pediatric trauma...

To quantitatively synthesize and report the frequency and category of incidental findings on Computed Tomography (CT) scans in pediatric trauma patients.

A thorough literature search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases until March 6, 2023, in adherence to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies describing incidental findings on CT scans in trauma patients ≤21 years were included. Incidental findings were grouped into three categories: Category 1 (requiring immediate or urgent evaluation or treatment), Category 2 (likely benign but which may require outpatient follow-up), and Category 3 (benign anatomic variants or pathologic findings that do not require follow-up or intervention).

Seven studies were included in this study, which revealed a combined rate of 27.10 % of incidental findings with notable heterogeneity among the studies. Aggregated frequencies were 10.15 % for Category 1, 32.18 % for Category 2 and 51.44 % for Category 3. Subgroup meta-analysis on abdominal CT scans showed a higher pooled incidence of incidental findings at 47.17 %, but with lower heterogeneity than the general meta-analysis.

The study underscores the prevalence of incidental findings in pediatric trauma patients undergoing CT scans. The categorization of these findings provides useful information for clinicians in determining appropriate follow-up and management strategies.