Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

CT scout films: Don't forget to look!

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

A lateral scout view of the head is always obtained when performing head computed tomography (CT). It is common knowledge that viewing the lateral scout view may provide additional information. For a variety of reasons, however, a careful review may not be performed routinely.

Objective

To illustrate the value of the lateral scout view, we present a series of representative cases.

Patients

Six patients with clinically relevant findings on the scout view.

Results

Most of the ancillary findings were in the upper cervical spine/neck, which is typically included on the lateral scout view.

Conclusion

Careful evaluation of the scout view of the head CT, including the skull and neck, may yield valuable information, which may not be visualized on the axial CT images.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1a, b.
Fig. 2a, b.
Fig. 3a, b.
Fig. 4a, b.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6a, b.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sener RN, Ripeckyj GT, Otto PM, et al (1993) Recognition of abnormalities on computed scout images in CT examinations of the head and spine. Neuroradiology 35:229–231

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Chu G, Rosenfield AT, Anderson K, et al (1999) Sensitivity and value of digital CT scout radiography for detecting ureteral stones in patients with ureterolithiasis diagnosed on unenhanced CT. AJR 173:417–423

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Berlin L, Hendrix RW (1998) Perceptual errors and negligence. AJR 170:863–867

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Medical Center, George Washington University, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA

    Seyed A. Emamian, Elizabeth C. Dubovsky, L. Gilbert Vezina & Dorothy I. Bulas

  2. Department of Radiology, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    William Carter

Authors
  1. Seyed A. Emamian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elizabeth C. Dubovsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Gilbert Vezina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. William Carter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Dorothy I. Bulas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Seyed A. Emamian.

Additional information

The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Departments of Navy or Defense

Presented at SPR meeting 2002, Philadelphia

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Emamian, S.A., Dubovsky, E.C., Vezina, L.G. et al. CT scout films: Don't forget to look!. Pediatr Radiol 33, 535–539 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-003-0937-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-003-0937-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation