According to a new study on children and serious head injuries, a period of observation after the personal injury may assist doctors in their determination of whether head x-rays are necessary. The concern is one of accurate diagnostics versus overuse and unnecessary exposure to x-rays, which could prompt cancer later in life.

Computed tomography or CT scans help doctors diagnose serious head injuries that require treatment, but researchers are not sure whether CT scans cause cancer. The new study shows that a little extra time when diagnosing a serious head injury can be the difference between a necessary and unnecessary CT scan. According to one doctor from Children's Hospital Boston who worked on the study, observation time is likely a good strategy for children who have a risk of a serious brain injury but are not displaying serious symptoms.

Generally, doctors prefer to use CT scans in head injury cases where a serious head injury is likely to be positive. In cases where a head injury is not likely, doctors do not want to expose children to radiation. If a child shows up too early to an emergency room after suffering an injury to the head, there may not have been enough time for symptoms to develop. Sometimes, a child may also arrive in the emergency room with some symptoms of concern but an immediate CT scan may not be the best choice. More symptoms may develop if additional time is given.

The researchers who conducted the study concluded that a period of observation before conducting a CT scan may be an effective and safe way to reduce exposure to X-rays.

Source: Reuters, "A little waiting may be good for head-injured kids," Genevra Pittman, 5/9/11