Can an abnormal CT scan be predicted from common symptoms after mild head injury in children?

INTRODUCTION: Children have non specific symptoms after mild head injury (MHI). It is difficult to define indication of CT scan among them. We aimed at identification of predictors of CT scan findings after MHI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged ≤12 years with GCS 13-15 after head injury were retrospectively evaluated for their clinical and CT scan findings during January to March 2010. The variables used for detection of abnormal (positive) CT scan were age, gender, cause of injury (road traffic accident, fall, and assault), loss of consciousness, vomiting, ear or nose bleed, seizure, and GCS score. RESULTS: A total of 133 children were included in study. Sixty nine (51.9%) children had abnormal CT findings. There was no statistical difference in patients with normal vs abnormal CT scan for presence of any of the variables evaluated. CONCLUSION: An abnormal CT scan cannot be reliably ruled out in a child with MHI based on symptoms; hence a policy of liberal CT scan based on clinical acumen is advisable.