CT in children's bones and joints: When, how and common findings

Radiologic evaluation of musculoskeletal abnormalities in children is now usually performed by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, owing to their excellent anatomic detail and lack of ionizing radiation.There remains a group of certain congenital and acquired conditions in which computed tomography (CT) can deliver invaluable information, and thus its application is justified in some pediatric patients.This article provides an overview of the most current imaging techniques for the latest generation of CTs, with particular emphasis on dose reduction. We also discuss the most important pathologic entities in which CT significantly contributes to the diagnostic workup or post-therapy follow-up.