MSc (Med), Child Health Neurodevelopment, University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences / Background: Computed tomography (CT) was introduced 40 years ago and it remains an
essential part of medical practice. The indications for CT brain scans vary in different
centres depending on the availability of scanners and financial resources. There is no data
on the indications and results of CT brain scans in children at Chris Hani Baragwanath
(CHB) Hospital.
Aims: The indications for CT brain scans were quantitated and the overall results of the
scans were assessed. The rate of radiological abnormalities by referral diagnosis was
evaluated.
Methodology: 361 Children undergoing CT brain scans were identified in a four month
period from 22/01/2004 to 21/05/2004, and their records were prospectively reviewed.
Results: The ages ranged from 2 days to 14 years. There were 213 males and 148 females
with a male: female ratio of 1.4:1. Seizures was the commonest indication for scans
(25.8%) in this study. The six common indications (partial and generalized seizures,
trauma, central nervous system [CNS] infections, macrocephaly and psychomotor
retardation) accounted for 67.6% of the scans. There were 233 (63.5%) abnormal scans.
Cerebral atrophy was the commonest finding, present in 58 (16.1%) scans.
Discussion: A high rate of positive scans was detected in this study, with intracranial
infections featuring prominently (9.7%). This high yield of positive scans in the study
population suggests the need for more scanner facilities at CHB hospital.
DPDoFcuments
Complete
Click Here & Upgrade
Expanded Features
Unlimited Pages
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/8986 |
| Date | 26 January 2011 |
| Creators | Vallabh, Preeteeben |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
Page generated in 0.0017 seconds