Pediatric Radiology is the branch that is interested in diagnostic imaging in the individual from 0 to 14 years and essentially uses four methods: traditional radiology (Rx) , ultrasound , computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) mammogram screening in Hackettstown.
Radiology applied to Pediatrics is not simply the transposition into the child of adult imaging, as the child is not a small adult: in pediatric age there are, in fact, absolutely peculiar pathologies different from those of the adult. Even the definition of “normality” (or “negative test”) is much more difficult in the child than in the adult. Therefore it is essential to entrust your children to a facility equipped with all the best performing imaging equipment and with radiologists with experience in the pediatric field so that the probability of an accurate and precise diagnosis is as high as possible.
Pediatric radiology: between methods and differences
The pediatric radiologist, even more than the general adult radiologist, finds himself daily having to discriminate between more or less similar investigation methods with the aim of reaching the diagnosis in absolute respect of the cost / benefit ratio.
Biological risk is to be understood not only as exposure to ionizing radiation, but also as the risk associated with the administration of the contrast medium, any sedation or narcosis, all related to the availability of equipment adequately set for pediatric use. the specific training level of the professional and technical support staff, etc.
The choice of the most appropriate investigation depends on the individual patient and on the age of the same and not only on the type of presumed or already known pathology.
Speaking of the diversity of the pediatric world, in the developmental age a method such as ultrasound has an absolute preponderance character as it does not involve the use of radiation, with consequent indications and applications unthinkable for the adult (ultrasound of the pylorus, ultrasound of the brain, hip ultrasound, lung ultrasound, etc). It can undoubtedly be affirmed that ultrasound is still today, despite the advent of new machinery, the most widely used first level diagnostic method in pediatric age, especially in children under 10 years of age.
