MRI utilization in pediatric emergency department: An analysis over 5 years

Abstract

There are concerns on exposure to radiation especially in pediatric population, as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used in emergency departments and provides an imaging without radiation; its utilization has recently increased. This study aimed to evaluate MRI utilization trends in patients who underwent a MRI in a pediatric emergency department within a period of five years. Examination data of the patients admitted to pediatric emergency department between 2014 and 2018 were obtained from database of the hospital with the approval of Clinical Research Ethical Committee. Rate of MRI utilization in patients admitted to pediatric emergency department was 0.88%. There was a statistically significant increase in MRI utilization within five years (p<0.001). The rate of male patients (1.24%) who underwent MRI was significantly higher than that of female patients (0.65%) (p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant decrease in MRI utilization by age in all categories (p<0.0001). Neuroradiology imaging was the most common. Complaints at presentation and pre-diagnoses were analyzed. The results of MRI were evaluated by radiologists and 53.9% of the results were normal. The highest rate (46.1%) of MRI utilization was between 4 pm and 12 am in a day. The highest rate of MRI utilization was on Friday and the lowest rate was on Sunday. While MRI utilization has increased in pediatric patients, neuroradiology imaging is the most common type. MRI utilization in pediatric emergency department is higher in male patients and in the early ages.

Keywords

• pediatrics
• pediatric emergency department
• magnetic resonance imaging
• clinical indication

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