Reduced frequency of sedation of young children with multisection helical CT

PURPOSE: To determine whether the use of multisection helical computed tomo graphy (CT) can decrease the need for sedation compared with single-section helical CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The number of children who required sedation to unde rgo body CT with a multisection helical scanner was recorded. The authors n oted the type of examination and whether contrast material was used. The ch ildren were categorized according to age (less than or equal to 17 years, l ess than or equal to 6 years, less than or equal to 1 year). RESULTS: In 219 CT examinations, only three children required sedation (1.4 %). The sedation rate was 3% (three of 90) for children aged 6 years or you nger and 8% (three of 37) for those aged 1 year or younger. Examinations we re of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis in 68 patients, of the abdomen and pel vis in 112, and of the chest alone in 39. Contrast material was intravenous ly administered in 186 (85%) examinations. All scans were of diagnostic qua lity. CONCLUSION: The rate of sedation was reduced threefold with multisection he lical CT compared with standard helical CT, and the need for sedation was e liminated in some age groups.