Stomach CT scans can be avoided in some kids – study

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Not all kids need a CT scan after a blunt trauma to the abdomen, according to a new study that identifies seven key signs to help doctors decide when a scan is unnecessary. CT scans are becoming commonplace in emergency rooms, but they aren’t harmless. Each scan delivers a dose of radiation that slightly increases a person’s long-term risk of cancer – a risk that’s especially heightened for children. …