A few studies addressing CT is this setting support a low diagnostic yield for imaging in the post-traumatic setting [46,47]. One study of 52 children with chronic head injury demonstrated CTs performed on only 8 patients [46]. One patient was found to have a fracture. No intracranial injury was detected. CT has limited sensitivity for nonacute intracranial hemorrhage and small contusions. CT likely has little role in evaluating most children with chronic head injury but may be a consideration when results are needed quickly. Head Trauma-Child CTA Head Although late post-traumatic vascular complications, such as pseudoaneurysm, can occur, there is no substantial literature or expert consensus supporting the use of CTA in children in chronic traumatic injury. Imaging for vascular injury is primarily guided by clinical suspicion or imaging findings, such as fracture through the skull base or vascular channels. In these instances, CTA provides high spatial resolution and rapid assessment for vascular injury. MRA Head Although late post-traumatic vascular complications, such as pseudoaneurysm, can occur, there is no substantial literature or expert consensus supporting the use of MRA in children in chronic traumatic injury. Imaging for vascular injury is primarily guided by clinical suspicion or imaging findings, such as fracture through the skull base or vascular channels. MRA can be performed without IV contrast using time-of-flight sequences, although contrast may be helpful for clarification in some instances, particularly when imaging is limited by tortuosity or flow artifact. Arteriography Cerebral There is no relevant literature or expert consensus regarding the use of conventional cerebral angiography in evaluating children with chronic head trauma. FDG-PET/CT Brain There is no relevant literature or expert consensus regarding the use of fluorine-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET/CT of the brain in evaluating children with chronic head trauma.
Head Trauma Child PCAs. A few studies addressing CT is this setting support a low diagnostic yield for imaging in the post-traumatic setting [46,47]. One study of 52 children with chronic head injury demonstrated CTs performed on only 8 patients [46]. One patient was found to have a fracture. No intracranial injury was detected. CT has limited sensitivity for nonacute intracranial hemorrhage and small contusions. CT likely has little role in evaluating most children with chronic head injury but may be a consideration when results are needed quickly. Head Trauma-Child CTA Head Although late post-traumatic vascular complications, such as pseudoaneurysm, can occur, there is no substantial literature or expert consensus supporting the use of CTA in children in chronic traumatic injury. Imaging for vascular injury is primarily guided by clinical suspicion or imaging findings, such as fracture through the skull base or vascular channels. In these instances, CTA provides high spatial resolution and rapid assessment for vascular injury. MRA Head Although late post-traumatic vascular complications, such as pseudoaneurysm, can occur, there is no substantial literature or expert consensus supporting the use of MRA in children in chronic traumatic injury. Imaging for vascular injury is primarily guided by clinical suspicion or imaging findings, such as fracture through the skull base or vascular channels. MRA can be performed without IV contrast using time-of-flight sequences, although contrast may be helpful for clarification in some instances, particularly when imaging is limited by tortuosity or flow artifact. Arteriography Cerebral There is no relevant literature or expert consensus regarding the use of conventional cerebral angiography in evaluating children with chronic head trauma. FDG-PET/CT Brain There is no relevant literature or expert consensus regarding the use of fluorine-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET/CT of the brain in evaluating children with chronic head trauma.