Rapid Sequence MRI Screening of Children with Persistent Headaches

A 2-minute MRI study was able to detect clinically significant intracranial pathologies in pediatric patients with low-risk recurrent headaches.

Use of rapid sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a screening tool for intracranial pathology in children with persistent headache avoids the ionizing radiation from a computed tomography (CT) scan. In this prospective cohort study, researchers evaluated rapid sequence MRI findings for 105 patients (ages 2 months to 12 years) with recurrent or persistent headaches over a 2-year period. Patients were excluded if there was a history of trauma, known or strong concern for significant intracranial pathology, symptoms of an infectious process, or recent brain imaging. This study was not designed to compare rapid sequence MRI with CT scan in the evaluation of intracranial processes.

MRI findings were normal in 81 patients. Twenty-four pati…

Reviewing Author

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Program Committee Chief Resident Forum Subcommittee Chair); American College of Emergency Physicians (Education Committee member)

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Rapid Sequence MRI Screening of Children with Persistent Headaches

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Reviewing Author