Asymptomatic radiological changes in computer tomography in children with head trauma.

INTRODUCTION

Computed tomography is an important imaging technique in Emergency Units. Thanks to its popularity, radiological changes are found in healthy children more commonly. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the incidence of maxillary sinus radiological changes in children with head trauma who admitted to the Emergency Unit of the University Children Hospital in Lublin.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of computed tomography scans of children suffering from head trauma admitted to the Emergency Unit of the University Children Hospital in Lublin was carried out. A group of 425 patients was analyzed.

RESULTS

Maxillary findings were present in 81 cases (19.06%); in 38 patients (8.94%) the changes were unilateral, while in 43 (10.12%) they were bilateral. Maxillary mucosal thickening was the most common radiological abnormality, present in almost 12% of the investigated cases (approximately 62% of all revealed changes). Maxillary total opacification as an isolated finding was found in younger children only. Retention cysts and maxillary polyps were found with a similar low frequency as maxillary opacification but in elder children only.

DISCUSSION: Asymptomatic radiological changes in computed tomography scans are common. Maxillary mucosal thickening is the most frequent asymptomatic abnormality. Maxillary polyps and pseudocysts are rare in the paediatric population. Maxillary opacification suggests other more significant pathologies and requires further diagnostics. Physicians should avoid diagnosing patients with sinusitis without proper examination and based on radiological abnormalities only. Paediatric patients with revealed maxillary changes should remain under regular laryngological control.