Citation

Harlan SR, Nixon GW, Campbell KA, Hansen K, Prince JS. Pediatr. Radiol. 2009; 39(9): 962-968.

Affiliation

Department of Radiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00247-009-1313-7

PMID

19565233

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated the value of the follow-up skeletal survey in identifying additional fractures, clarifying indeterminate findings, and improving dating of skeletal injuries in victims of physical abuse. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a more limited follow-up survey could yield the same radiologic data as a full follow-up survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised 101 children who had follow-up surveys that met our inclusion criteria. Consensus readings of both original and follow-up surveys were performed by two pediatric radiologists. These results were compared to determine additional findings from the follow-up surveys. Limited skeletal survey protocols were evaluated to determine whether they would detect the same fractures seen with a complete osseous survey. RESULTS: In the 101 children 244 fractures were identified on the initial osseous survey. Follow-up surveys demonstrated new information in 38 children (37.6%). A 15-view limited follow-up survey identified all additional information seen on the complete follow-up survey. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that a 15-view limited follow-up skeletal survey could be performed without missing clinically significant new fractures and still allow proper identification of confirmed fractures or normal findings. A limited survey would decrease radiation dose in children.

Language: en