Frequency of neuroimaging for pediatric minor brain injury is determined by the primary treating medical department

To investigate the use of neuroimaging in children and adolescents with minor brain injury in pediatric and non-pediatric departments. In this observational cohort study data were extracted from a large German statutory health insurance (AOK Plus Dresden ∼3.1 million clients) in a 7-year period (2010–2016). All patients with International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code S06.0 (concussion; minor brain injury; commotio cerebri) aged ≤ 18 years were included. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis for associations with the use of CT and MRI (independent variables: gender, age, length of stay, pediatric vs non-pediatric department, university vs non-university hospital). A total of 14,805 children with minor brain injuries (mean age 6.0 ± 5.6; 45.5% females) were included. Treatment was provided by different medical departments: Pediatrics (N = 8717; 59%), Pediatric Surgery (N = 3582, 24%), General Surgery (N = 2197, 15%), Orthopedic Trauma Surgery (N = 309, 2.1%). Patients admitted to pediatric departments (Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery) underwent head CT-imaging significantly less frequently (3.8%) compared to patients treated in non-pediatric departments (18.5%; P < .001; General Surgery: 15.6%; Orthopedic Trauma Surgery: 39.2%). Logistic regression confirmed a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for the use of cranial CT by the non-pediatric departments (OR: 3.2 [95-%-CI: 2.72–3.76]). CT was significantly less frequently used in pediatric departments. Educational efforts and quality improvement initiatives on physicians, especially in non-pediatric departments may be an effective approach to decreasing rates of CT after minor traumatic brain injuries.