Diagnostic imaging in pediatric emergencies.

Evaluation of pediatric emergencies by diagnostic imaging technics can involve both invasive and noninvasive procedures. Nuclear medicine, conventional radiography, ultrasound, computerized axial tomography, and xeroradiography are the major nonangiographic diagnostic technics available for patient evaluation. Appropriate decisions regarding choice of these imagining technics can be made only if the advantages and limitations of each are known. We will emphasize the use of computerized axial tomography, nuclear medicine, xeroradiography, and ultrsound in the evaluation of emergencies in the pediatric age group. Basic principles with specific reference to clinical disorders will be presented. Since the radiologist is the primary consultant with regard to diagnostic imaging, his knowledge of these modalities can greatly influence patient care and clinical results.