Christopher Pennell1, Minal Aundhia2, Archana Malik3, Erica Poletto3, Harsh Grewal4, Norrell Atkinson5. 1. St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of General, Thoracic, and Minimally Invasive Surgery, 160 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA. Electronic address: Christopher.Pennell@towerhealth.org. 2. Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University 1025 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. 3. St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Radiology, 160 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA; Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 West Queen Lane, Philadelphia PA 19129, USA. 4. St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of General, Thoracic, and Minimally Invasive Surgery, 160 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA; Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 West Queen Lane, Philadelphia PA 19129, USA. 5. Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 West Queen Lane, Philadelphia PA 19129, USA; St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Child Protection Program, 160 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines recommend performing head CT and skull radiographs (SR) when evaluating infants for physical abuse. We compared the accuracy of 3-dimensional CT (3DCT) and SR for detecting skull fractures. METHODS: We reviewed children <12 months evaluated for physical abuse undergoing 3DCT and SR between January 2017 and December 2018. 3DCT and SR images were blindly read by 2 radiologists. Interrater reliability (IRR) was calculated. Diagnostic accuracy was compared using McNemar's test. RESULTS: 158 infants with a mean age of 5.0 months underwent 3DCT and SR. Consensus reading identified 46 fractures (29.1%) on 3DCT and 40 fractures (25.3%) on SR. IRR was higher for 3DCT (κ = 0.95) than for SR (=0.65). 11 fractures were identified on 3DCT but not SR. 5 fractures were identified on SR but not 3DCT. There was no difference in the diagnostic accuracy of 3DCT and SR (χ2 = 1.56, p = 0.211). CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in the accuracy of 3DCT and SR for detecting skull fractures in infants. Because 3DCT has better IRR and evaluates for both bony and intracranial injuries it is superior to SR. Omitting SRs may be acceptable if a 3DCT is performed, and would reduce radiation exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines recommend performing head CT and skull radiographs (SR) when evaluating infants for physical abuse. We compared the accuracy of 3-dimensional CT (3DCT) and SR for detecting skull fractures. METHODS: We reviewed children <12 months evaluated for physical abuse undergoing 3DCT and SR between January 2017 and December 2018. 3DCT and SR images were blindly read by 2 radiologists. Interrater reliability (IRR) was calculated. Diagnostic accuracy was compared using McNemar's test. RESULTS: 158 infants with a mean age of 5.0 months underwent 3DCT and SR. Consensus reading identified 46 fractures (29.1%) on 3DCT and 40 fractures (25.3%) on SR. IRR was higher for 3DCT (κ = 0.95) than for SR (=0.65). 11 fractures were identified on 3DCT but not SR. 5 fractures were identified on SR but not 3DCT. There was no difference in the diagnostic accuracy of 3DCT and SR (χ2 = 1.56, p = 0.211). CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in the accuracy of 3DCT and SR for detecting skull fractures in infants. Because 3DCT has better IRR and evaluates for both bony and intracranial injuries it is superior to SR. Omitting SRs may be acceptable if a 3DCT is performed, and would reduce radiation exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy.