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The increasing use of computed tomography (CT) in trauma patients has led to growing concern about the risks of radiation exposure from unwarranted studies. In a retrospective study at a single level I pediatric trauma center in the U.S., researchers compared use of chest radiography and CT for evaluation of blunt chest trauma in 333 children (<16 years; mean age, 10.8 years; 60% boys) who underwent chest CT within 24 hours of injury in 2001 to 2005. Most children (86%) were injured in motor vehicle collisions.
Overall, 20% of chest CT scans had positive findings, including pneumothorax (37%), pulmonary contusion (28%), hemothorax (22%), mediastinal hematoma (10%), and pneumomediastinum (6%). Chest x-rays were obtained before CT in 42 of the…