The routine use of radiography and arterial blood gases in the evaluation of blunt trauma in children.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of routine radiographs and arterial blood gases in children with blunt trauma.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS

Ninety patients who met triage criteria for our trauma team evaluation and who were less than 15 years old were evaluated. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) of 15 (lie, mild to moderately injured children) were the focus of this study.

METHODS

Children seen from May 1991 through August 1992 had charts reviewed systematically and within 24 hours of emergency department evaluation. Standard radiologic evaluation, including cervical-spine, chest, and pelvic radiographs, as well as arterial blood gas analysis, were obtained. The severity of injury was graded according to the Modified Injury Severity Scale.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 6.4 years, and the injuries observed were exclusively extremity fractures. The correlation between physical examination findings and radiologic evaluation was assessed. Forty-three patients had an abnormal physical examination (ie, gross deformity, limitation of motion, or pain), and 26 had a fracture identified on radiograph. Forty-seven patients had a normal physical examination and none had a fracture identified on radiograph (P < .001; sensitivity of positive signs and symptoms, 100%; false-negative findings, 0%). Four patients with abnormal blood gases are described. No patient had any vascular or solid organ injury identified.

CONCLUSION

In children with a GCS score of 15, selected radiologic and laboratory tests based on clinical findings are recommended. Careful observation and repeat examinations by trained clinicians can select a group of children at low risk for occult injury.