Overuse of ionizing radiation imaging by skull X-ray scans for minor pediatric head trauma

Gharaibeh Ahmad
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Email src
Antonia Lackova
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Mahmoud M. Gharaibeh
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Ahmed Alwadiya
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Robert Cellar
Istvan Mitro
Vladimir Filip
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Marek Lacko
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Teaching Department of Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Trauma, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Kosice, Slovakia
Neurology Department, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Kosice, Slovakia
Teaching Department of Dentistry, Princes Basma Teaching Hospital, Irbid, Jordan
Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, United Kingdom
Teaching Department of Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Trauma, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Kosice, Slovakia
Teaching Department of Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Trauma, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Kosice, Slovakia
Teaching Department of Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Trauma, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Kosice, Slovakia
Teaching Department of Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Trauma, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Kosice, Slovakia
Received: 17 August 2024 / Revised: 25 September 2024 / Accepted: 6 October 2024 / Published: 30 March 2025

Abstract

Introduction and aim. The assessment of light head trauma in pediatric patients (GCS 14-15) often involves the use of skull X-rays for forensic reasons. This study aims to evaluate the necessity of radiographic imaging and reducing the overuse of X-rays, and developing Slovak guidelines for the appropriate use of X-rays and computed tomography (CT) in pediatric head trauma cases.

Material and methods. This retrospective descriptive study analyzed records from children with head trauma seen at trauma clinics over a period of one year. The study focused on the number of radiographic images (CT and X-rays) performed on pedi atric patients and assessed the appropriateness of these imaging techniques.

Results. Out of 1168 pediatric patients with head trauma, 831 (71%) had simple head injuries, 295 (25.26%) had wounds in the head area, 17 (1.45%) had fractures, 23 (1.97%) had concussions, and 2 (0.17%) had intracranial hematomas. A total of 1097 (93.9%) children with head trauma underwent imaging: 1032 had X-rays and 65 had CT scans. The study found that only 3.42% of patients actually needed radiation.

Conclusion. The majority of pediatric head trauma cases were minor and not associated with brain injury, highlighting the overuse of radiographic imaging in these cases.

 

Cite 

Ahmad G, Gharaibeh MM, Alwadiya A, Lackova A, Cellar R, Mitro I et al. Overuse of ionizing radiation imaging by skull X-ray scans for minor pediatric head trauma. Eur J Clin Exp Med. 2025;23(1):141–145. doi: 10.15584/ejcem.2025.1.21.

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