Reduction of radiation dose of computed tomography in children with traumatic brain injury does not compromise the diagnosis and medical conduct

Abstract

Introduction: The worldwide increases in availability and request of computed tomography in children have brought concern about the cumulative effect of radiation. Traumatic brain injury is a clinical situation in which tomography is frequently necessary. Objectives: 1. Evaluating if the reduction of the radiation dose of head computed tomography in children with head trauma would affect the diagnosis and medical conduct; 2. Promoting a radioprotection campaign in a private health care system. Method: We selected two groups of computed tomography from children with head trauma: 30 performed before the study period, with usual doses of radiation; and 30 tomographies performed during the project, in which we applied the protocol of The Radiation Safety The Alliance for Imaging in Pediatric with 50% radiation dose reduction. The two series of exams were presented to 19 pediatricians, 2 neurosurgeons and 7 radiologists who were unaware of the technical differences and they answered a questionnaire. Results: The professionals had no difficulty in making a diagnosis and establish a conduct with both series of exams. Four participants noted more grainy images in the exams with lower radiation dose. A radioprotection campaign distributed 17,000 radioprotection wallets for children up to 12 years. Professionals involved and parents joined the campaign strongly and rationally. Conclusions: It is possible to reduce the computed tomography radiation dose for children with head trauma without any prejudice to the diagnosis and treatment. The radioprotection campaign was effective and well accepted by professionals and family and will become a national campaign.