Optimizing Imaging in the Pediatric Trauma Patient, Part 2: Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma - Trauma EXTRA Supplement

Points & Pearls Excerpt

• Given their small size and growing tissues, children have the highest effective radiation dose and are potentially at higher risk from radiation exposure due to organ sensitivity and longer remaining life expectancy.¹
• Clinicians should follow the safety principles of ALARA and the Image Gently® campaign when imaging pediatric trauma patients and should consider the use of validated clinical decision tools for trauma imaging to help reduce unnecessary radiation exposure in these patients.
• CT of the chest is more sensitive than radiographs and is able to detect both large and small pneumothoraces; however, small pneumothoraces that are not detected on chest radio-graphs might not impact clinical management.⁸
• In conjunction with chest radiographs, ultrasound can be used to assess for significant hemothorax or hemopericardium.