Minor head injury: limiting patient exposure to ionizing radiation, risk stratification, and concussion management

Publication Date

2016

Journal Title

Curr Opin Pediatr

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review recommendations from recent publications on the evaluation of minor head trauma. We focus on the risks of radiation from computed tomographies (CTs), the establishment of patient risk stratifications to help guide the necessity of emergent neuroimaging, and current thoughts regarding concussions. RECENT FINDINGS: Pediatric minor head injury is a common complaint in ambulatory settings. There is a significant amount of parental and practitioner anxiety regarding prognosis and whether or not to obtain CT imaging. New evidence has demonstrated the significant harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Recent studies have risk-stratified patients to identify those at risk of clinically important traumatic brain injury, to minimize the exposure to ionizing radiation for those who are at a low risk of any significant disorder. SUMMARY: Pediatric minor head injury is a common complaint, but the vast majority of those injured will suffer no significant consequences. The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network has created an algorithm to identify minor head trauma patients who require emergent head CTs versus those at low risk who do not require neuroimaging. Additionally, in recent years there has been an increase in the occurrence of concussions. We describe the characteristics of concussions, appropriate management, and the return-to-play guidelines.

Volume Number

28

Issue Number

1

Pages

121-31

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2015/12/03

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Pediatrics

Additional Departments

Emergency Medicine

PMID

26626556

DOI

10.1097/mop.0000000000000297

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

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