Lower radiation exposure from body CT imaging for trauma at a dedicated pediatric hospital.

PURPOSE: We compare radiation exposure from body CT imaging for blunt trauma performed at outside hospitals (OH) versus our children's hospital (CH). METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all children transferred to our facility for management of trauma after undergoing a body CT scan at an OH from June 2011 to August 2013. Radiation from OH images was compared to our CH by matching to age, gender, and nearest date. Radiation measures included dose length product (DLP), computed tomography dose index (CTDI), and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE). RESULTS: Fifty-one children were transferred from 39 OH. Abdomen/pelvis and chest/abdomen/pelvis imaging was performed in 30 and 21 children, respectively. Demographics are shown in Table 1. Results are illustrated in Tables 2 and 3. Contrast was utilized in 45 (1 oral, 41 IV, 3 both) and 51 (49 IV, 2 both). CT scans were performed at OH and CH, respectively (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Children receive significantly less radiation exposure with body CT imaging for blunt trauma when performed at our dedicated CH. CT scans were significantly more likely to be ordered with appropriate contrast at our CH.

Radiation exposure from head computed tomography scans in pediatric trauma.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that children receive significantly less radiation exposure after abdominal and/or pelvis computed tomography (CT) scanning for acute appendicitis when performed at our children's hospital (CH) rather than at outside hospitals (OH). In this study, we compare the amount of radiation children receive from head CTs for trauma done at OH versus those at our CH. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all children transferred to our hospital after receiving a head CT for trauma at an OH between July 2012 and December 2012. These children were then blindly case matched based on date, age, and gender to children at our CH. RESULTS: There were 50 children who underwent head CT scans for trauma at 28 OH. There were 21 females and 29 males in each group. Average age was 7.01 ± 0.5 y at the OH and 7.14 ± 6.07 at our CH (P = 0.92). Average weight was 30.81 ± 4.69 kg at the OH and 32.69 ± 27.21 kg at our CH (P = 0.81). Radiation measures included dose length product (671.21 ± 22.6 mGycm at OH versus 786.28 ± 246.3 mGycm at CH, P = 0.11) and CT dose index (53.4 ± 2.26 mGy at OH versus 49.2 ± 12.94 mGy at CH, P = 0.56). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference between radiation exposure secondary to head CTs for traumatic injuries performed at OH and those at a dedicated CH.

Radiation exposure - how do CT scans for appendicitis compare between a free standing children's hospital and non-dedicated pediatric facilities?

BACKGROUND: We compare the amount of radiation children receive from CT scans performed at non-dedicated pediatric facilities (OH) versus those at a dedicated children's hospital (CH). METHODS: Using a retrospective chart review, all children undergoing CT scanning for appendicitis at an OH were compared to children undergoing CT imaging for appendicitis at a CH between January 2011 and November 2012. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three children underwent CT scans at 42 different OH. Body mass index was similar between the two groups (21.00±6.49kg/m(2), 19.58±5.18kg/m(2), P=0.07). Dose length product (DLP) was 620±540.3 at OH and 253.78±211.08 at CH (P < 0.001). OH CT scans accurately diagnosed appendicitis in 81%, while CT scans at CH were accurate in 95% (P=0.026). CTDIvol was recorded in 65 patients with subset analysis showing CTDIvol of 16.98±15.58 and 4.89±2.64, a DLP of 586.25±521.59 and 143.54±41.19, and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) of 26.71±23.1 and 3.81±2.02 at OH and CH, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Using SSDE as a marker for radiation exposure, children received 86% less radiation and had improved diagnostic accuracy when CT scans are performed at a CH.