Radiological imaging is extremely valuable as a diagnostic tool in the pediatric population, but it comes with a number of distinct challenges as compared to the imaging of adults. This is because of the following: It requires dedicated imaging protocols to acquire the images, there is need for sedation or general anesthesia for longer procedures such as MRI, specific training is required for the healthcare personnel involved, thorough knowledge and expertise should be applied for evaluating the images, and most importantly, it requires consideration for radiation exposure if ionizing radiation is being used. One of the challenges for clinical care personnel is to gain the child's trust and co-operation before and throughout the duration of an examination, which can prove to be difficult in children who may be ill and have pain. This is important to acquire quality images and prevent repeat examinations. Even with a quality examination, the accurate interpretation of images requires a thorough knowledge of the intricate and dynamic face of anatomy and specific pathological presentations in children. The increased radiation sensitivity of growing organs and children's longer expected life spans make them more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation. Imaging pediatric patients in a dedicated pediatric imaging department with dedicated pediatric CT technologists may result in greater compliance with pediatric protocols and significantly reduced patient dose. In order to prevent the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle should be strictly followed. This article seeks to draw attention to various challenges of pediatric imaging and the ways to overcome them.
[1]
R. Michael.
Potential of MR-imaging in the paediatric abdomen.
,
2008,
European journal of radiology.
[2]
H. Abdel-Dayem,et al.
Role of PET/CT in malignant pediatric lymphoma
,
2010,
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
[3]
O. Erondu.
Challenges and Peculiarities of Paediatric Imaging
,
2013
.
[4]
D. Frush,et al.
Contemporary pediatric thoracic imaging.
,
2000,
AJR. American journal of roentgenology.
[5]
N. Gaab,et al.
Pediatric neuroimaging in early childhood and infancy: challenges and practical guidelines
,
2012,
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
[6]
E. Hall,et al.
Lessons we have learned from our children: cancer risks from diagnostic radiology
,
2002,
Pediatric Radiology.
[7]
M. Ditchfield,et al.
3T MRI in paediatrics: challenges and clinical applications.
,
2008,
European journal of radiology.
[8]
D. Brenner,et al.
Estimated risks of radiation-induced fatal cancer from pediatric CT.
,
2001,
AJR. American journal of roentgenology.
[9]
K. P. Kim,et al.
Radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood and subsequent risk of leukaemia and brain tumours: a retrospective cohort study
,
2012,
The Lancet.
[10]
J. Mathews,et al.
Cancer risk in 680 000 people exposed to computed tomography scans in childhood or adolescence: data linkage study of 11 million Australians
,
2013,
BMJ.
[11]
Diego Jaramillo,et al.
MR imaging of the abdomen and pelvis in infants, children, and adolescents.
,
2011,
Radiology.
[12]
Donald P Frush,et al.
Computed tomography and radiation risks: what pediatric health care providers should know.
,
2003,
Pediatrics.