Resumen

PAULSEN SANDI, Kurt Gonzalo. Erroneous use of x-rays in minor head trauma. Rev. bol. ped. [online]. 2004, vol.43, n.1, pp.8-10. ISSN 1024-0675.

Objectives: to demonstrate the erroneous use of X rays in cases of closed minor head trauma in patients seen at the Hospital del Niño "Ovidio Aliaga Uría". La Paz. Bolivia Material and methods: we included 50 patients admitted to the Hospital del Niño because of closed minor head trauma and we evaluated the use of- X rays. Results: X-rays were taken in 98% of cases and 5% needed surgical treatment because of severe trauma also because of an abnormal CAT. 85% did not require special treatment and the X-ray did not confirm a change in medical treatment. Conclusions: X-rays did not help much in the treatment of these cases; generally their use is very limited unless there are clear signs of skull fracture.

Palabras clave : head trauma; X-ray of the head.