Emerging concepts in pediatric emergency radiology

Radiologic studies are a vital component in the workup and diagnosis of disease. An appropriate radiographic study will accurately rule in or rule out disease with the least possible harm. Special considerations are necessary for the imaging of children. Current trends in pediatric imaging support the increased use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to decrease radiation exposure. In this review, we highlight some of the emerging concepts in the radiographic workup of pediatric disease, with a focus on decreasing ionizing radiation, increasing ultrasound use, and using clinical decision rules to identify children who do not need imaging.