The frequency of CT exams performed in Northern England on children and young adults up to 21 years of age more than doubled between 1993 and 2003, according to a trend analysis published online 19 May in Pediatric Radiology.
During the 10-year period, the number of CT scans per year more than doubled from an estimated 2,624 to 5,513 for the region. The greatest increase in the annual number of scans occurred during a 36-month period starting in 1997, according to lead author Dr. Mark Pearce, from the Institute of Health and Society at Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne, and colleagues.
The analysis of more than 20,000 patients included data from all nine of the National Health Service trusts providing healthcare treatment to an estimated 800,000 children in this age group, and an estimated 2.2 million adults older than 21. The region was defined as including Durham, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and the South Tees area of North Yorkshire.
