Use of computed axial tomography in pediatric orthopedics.

The use of the computed tomography has been rapidly expanding in the 7 years it has been clinically available, and there is no doubt that this modality will have an important role in the assessment of many pediatric orthopedic problems. Computed tomography now provides previously unavailable information in cases of tumors, infections, and fractures of the axial skeleton, pelvis, and hips. With the faster scan times, better density and two-point resolution of the newer generation scanners, computed tomography will be useful in other isolated cases and in more situations, but still may not gain wide applicability in pediatric orthopedics.