Audit of pediatric computed tomography at Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Computed tomography (CT) is becoming popular with advances in imaging technology, and pediatric imaging is also affected by this trend. Aims: This study aimed to determine the pattern of pediatric CT scanning practice and common findings at Aminu Kano teaching hospital (AKTH). Settings and Design: The study was conducted at the Radiology department of AKTH. It was a retrospective descriptive study. Materials and Methods: Patients aged between 4 days to 14 years and examined with a 4-slice Bright speed CT scanner at the Radiology department from January to December, 2011 were reviewed in this study. Information concerning the age, gender, indications for the CT scan, type of CT scan conducted, and findings were recorded. Statistical Analysis: Summarising indices were used (including frequencies, means, modes, and standard deviations). Results: One hundred and forty children (80 boys and 60 girls) were reviewed. Their ages ranged from 4.0 days to 14.0 years, with a mean of 5.64±4.31 years. Brain scan was most commonly performed (88.8%), while frequency of abdominal CT was 4.9%. The most common indication for CT examination in these subjects was convulsion (21.43%), followed by trauma (15.71%) and progressive head enlargement (11.43%). About 29.2% of the scans were normal, while obstructive hydrocephalus was seen in 13.2% and general brain atrophy in 9.1% of the cases. Conclusions: This review shows predominance of brain CT scan in children, seizures and trauma being the most common indications. Obstructive hydrocephalus, brain infarction, and general atrophy dominate the findings. Presence of global atrophy in some of the patients is worrisome as it may adversely affect the prognosis.