Retrospective examination of the PECARN algorithm in pediatric patients with minor head trauma

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 1, 68 - 74, 27.03.2025

Samet Dinç , Adem Kurtuluş , Necmettin Çoban , Cengiz Tuncer , Ayhan Tekiner

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate and examine pediatric head trauma cases according to PECARN in the light of their neurological and clinical conditions. We wanted to contribute to the detection of TBI with minimum CT imaging rates in order to avoid radiation-related carcinogenesis.
Method: 108 pediatric patients who were admitted to the emergency department due to minor head trauma and were admitted to the neurosurgery clinic were evaluated retrospectively.
Result: During follow-up, 9 patients required intensive care and 5 patients underwent neurosurgical surgery. The most common trauma etiology was falling from one's own level with 53.7%. The most common tomography pathology was non-displaced fracture. According to the evaluations made in accordance with the PECARN algorithm, CT was recommended in 18 cases (16.7%); CT was not recommended for 32 cases.
Conclusion: The clinician's goal is to quickly and accurately diagnose clinically significant TBI while avoiding unnecessary CT imaging to protect against the adverse effects of radiation. We recommend using the PECARN algorithm for this purpose.

Keywords

head trauma, carcinogenesis, tomography

Minör kafa travmalı pediatrik hastalarda PECARN algoritmasının retrospektif incelenmesi.

Abstract

Amaç: Pediatrik kafa travması olgularını nörolojik ve klinik durumları ışığında PECARN'a göre retrospektif olarak değerlendirmeyi ve incelemeyi amaçladık. Radyasyona bağlı karsinogenezi önlemek için minimum BT görüntüleme oranlarıyla TBI tespitine katkıda bulunmak istedik.
Method: Minör kafa travması nedeniyle acil servise başvuran ve beyin cerrahi kliniğine başvuran 108 çocuk hasta retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi.
Bulgular: Takip sırasında 9 hastanın yoğun bakıma ihtiyacı oldu ve 5 hastaya beyin cerrahisi ameliyatı uygulandı. En sık görülen travma etiyolojisi %53,7 ile kendi seviyesinden düşmeydi. En sık görülen tomografi patolojisi deplase olmayan kırıktı. PECARN algoritmasına göre yapılan değerlendirmelere göre 18 olguya (%16,7) BT önerildi; 32 olguya BT önerilmedi.
Sonuç: Klinisyenin amacı, radyasyonun olumsuz etkilerinden korunmak için gereksiz BT görüntülemeden kaçınarak, klinik açıdan anlamlı TBI'yı hızlı ve doğru bir şekilde teşhis etmektir. Bu amaçla PECARN algoritmasını kullanmanızı öneririz.

Keywords

kafa travması, karsinogenez, tomografi

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