Correlation between Computed Tomography Clinical Diagnosis and Findings in Pediatric Computed Tomography.

Abstract

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Pediatric Computed Tomography (CT) is a fast, accurate imaging examination using ionizing radiation to create detailed images of pathological conditions. The radiation benefit should be outweighing the risk through the procure justification and dose optimization. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the physician's initial diagnosis and the CT findings to build procedure justification for a pediatric patient's head scan. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The study included 81 children examined clinically and by CT scan to diagnose cranial and cerebral pathology. Eighty-one pediatric patients were investigated by CT scan and clinical diagnosis. <b>Results:</b> The patient age ranged between 1-15 years old, (44%) were male and (56%) females. The patients referred to the CT scan from emergency department n = 10 (7%), outpatient clinics n = 66, (84%) and inpatients clinics n = 5, (9%). The study showed that 46% of patients were normal with no CT findings. Almost half of the cases were negative and did not confirm the clinical diagnosis. <b>Conclusion:</b> The study concluded that most head CT scans in children were not justified. An effort towards improving the refereeing physician's awareness about radiation dose and request justification should be conducted.