Pediatric abdominal applications of multidetector-row CT

The introduction of multidetector technology of computed tomography (CT) into clinical practice has increased using CT as modality of choice for most body parts. In spite of some disadvantages of CT such as radiation exposure and using iodinated contrast medium, some facilities gathered by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) such as faster scanning time and high-resolution imaging technique have improved pediatric CT applications. Less using intravenous and oral contrast medium, less sedation rate, decreased radiation exposure are very practical advantages of MDCT in abdominal imaging of pediatric population. In this review, technical details of these advantages of MDCT for pediatric population and some examples of improved imaging and diagnostic capabilities arising from MDCT for pediatric abdominal applications will be presented. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.