[Acute craniocerebral trauma in childhood--early use of MRI].

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the present diagnostic potential of MRI in early stage head trauma und possibly to replace CT studies in children. FLAIR-techniques consequently applied as "scout sequences" provided reliable identification of traumatic intra- and extracranial lesions yet during the first measurement in all 24 cases. Follow-up scan confirmed the initial results. The reliability of MRI in acute pediatric head trauma is underlined by the fact that CT scans were no longer necessary within in the last three years. Therefore the imaging algorithm of acute head trauma in children has changed in our institution: medium and high risk patients undergo MRI, in young infants we do US first. HR-CT is reserved for lesions of the visceral cranium. X rays are out.