Overuse of ionizing radiation imaging by skull X-ray scans for minor pediatric head trauma
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15584/ejcem.2025.1.21Keywords:
epidemiology, guidelines, ionization, overuse, pediatric head trauma, radiological imagingAbstract
Introduction and aim. The assessment of light head trauma in pediatric patients (GCS 14-15) often involves the use of skull X-rays for forensic reasons. This study aims to evaluate the necessity of radiographic imaging and reducing the overuse of X-rays, and developing Slovak guidelines for the appropriate use of X-rays and computed tomography (CT) in pediatric head trauma cases.
Material and methods. This retrospective descriptive study analyzed records from children with head trauma seen at trauma clinics over a period of one year. The study focused on the number of radiographic images (CT and X-rays) performed on pedi atric patients and assessed the appropriateness of these imaging techniques.
Results. Out of 1168 pediatric patients with head trauma, 831 (71%) had simple head injuries, 295 (25.26%) had wounds in the head area, 17 (1.45%) had fractures, 23 (1.97%) had concussions, and 2 (0.17%) had intracranial hematomas. A total of 1097 (93.9%) children with head trauma underwent imaging: 1032 had X-rays and 65 had CT scans. The study found that only 3.42% of patients actually needed radiation.
Conclusion. The majority of pediatric head trauma cases were minor and not associated with brain injury, highlighting the overuse of radiographic imaging in these cases.
Supporting Agencies
The work was supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sports of the Slovak Republic ‒ VEGA no.1/0598/20.Downloads
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