Chapter 22 - Pediatric minor head injury imaging

Abstract

Pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) is a major cause of morbidity in the pediatric population with an increasing incidence. Special features of the pediatric population, render pediatric traumatic brain injury as an almost distinct clinical entity compared to traumatic brain injury in the adult population, regarding diagnostic approach and management. Imaging techniques remain a milestone in the evaluation process of pTBI and have evolved even further, providing clinicians important information upon a challenging clinical subject. Conventional imaging techniques (X-rays, CT scans, MRI) are still used in everyday clinical practice to determine the nature and severity of pTBI and guide appropriate management. Modern imaging modalities mainly based on magnetic resonance imaging (SWI, MRS, DWI, DTI, fMRI) offer an abundance of prospects in pTBI. The combination of conventional and advanced imaging techniques provides an elaborate approach to pTBI diagnosis and successive management, as well as thorough understanding of underlying pTBI pathophysiology and consequent post-traumatic clinical outcomes.