Pediatric radiologists at the hospital use 64-slice CT and both two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) images, according to Craig Barnes, M.D., a pediatric radiologist at the children's hospital. Barnes presented his experience with the technology at the American Roentgen Ray Society Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 1. Brenner Children's Hospital has used this technology in the emergency department since August of 2005.

"There are very few, if any, pediatric trauma centers in the United States that have both the 64 slice, multi-detector CT scanner and use the 2-D and 3-D images to evaluate pediatric trauma CT studies," Barnes said. "For many years physicians in the ED have used by default the same technology for both pediatric and adult patients, rather than selecting the most appropriate technology for the patient's age and condition." he said

"At Brenner Children's Hospital, we have four radiologists trained in pediatrics who are able to use the best technology in conjunction with their understanding of the pediatric patient to make an accurate diagnosis. Working with children is very different and requires specific knowledge, especially in a trauma situation where every moment counts."

Barnes and three other pediatric radiologists use these high-tech tools to give physicians a 360-degree view of the patient's body, helping pediatric surgeons and pediatric emergency room physicians make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. A 64-slice multi-detector CT takes X-ray images or measurements within seconds. Each image is called a "slice." The more slices taken, the more complete the picture.

"The more information we have the better," Barnes said. "For exampl
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Contact: Rae Bush
rbush@wfubmc.edu
336-716-6878
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
1-May-2006