• Robin D Munk, Peter C Strohm, Ulrich Saueressig, Joern Zwingmann, Markus Uhl, Norbert P Südkamp, Elmar Kotter, Mathias Langer, and Thorsten A Bley.
• Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Hugstetter Str. 49, 79095, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. robin.munk@uniklinik-freiburg.de
• Pediatr Radiol. 2009 Mar 1; 39 (3): 245-52.

BackgroundThe number of multislice CT (MSCT) scans performed in polytraumatized children has increased rapidly. There is growing concern regarding the radiation dose in MSCT and its long-term consequences, especially in children.ObjectiveTo determine the effective dose to polytraumatized children who undergo whole-body MSCT.Materials And MethodsA total of 51 traumatized children aged 0-16 years underwent a polytrauma protocol CT scan between November 2004 and August 2006 at our institution. The effective dose was calculated retrospectively by a computer program (CT-Expo 1.5, Hannover, Germany).ResultsThe mean effective dose was 20.8 mSv (range 8.6-48.9 mSv, SD +/- 7.9 mSv). There was no statistically significant difference in the effective dose between male and female patients.ConclusionWhole-body MSCT is a superior diagnostic tool in polytraumatized children with 20.8 mSv per patient being a justified mean effective dose. In a potentially life-threatening situation whole-body MSCT provides the clinicians with relevant information to initiate life-saving therapy. Radiologists should use special paediatric protocols that include dose-saving mechanisms to keep the effective dose as low as possible. Further studies are needed to examine and advance dose-saving strategies in MSCT, especially in children.

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