Mobile CT for Pediatric Abdominal Imaging

Overseen By Melody Torain

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duke University

Disqualifiers: Size, Unable to consent

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

25 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines whether a special mobile CT scanner, already capable of taking head images, can also safely capture chest and abdomen images in children. The goal is to assist young patients who cannot be safely moved to a radiology department but still require essential scans. It targets children in intensive care units who are too ill for traditional imaging transport. Eligible participants include children under five or those small enough to fit in the machine, who need these images for medical care and cannot be moved due to their condition. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to advance pediatric imaging technology.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this mobile CT is safe for pediatric abdominal imaging?

Research has shown that mobile CT scanners, already approved for head scans in both children and adults, are safe for emergency use. Studies have found that these portable scanners reduce the risks associated with moving very sick patients, such as those in intensive care, to another location for imaging. This is particularly crucial for children who might be too ill to be safely moved to a regular radiology department.

Portable CT scanners also lessen the need for sedation during scans, which benefits children. However, it is important to remember that any CT scan involves some radiation exposure. There is a small risk that 1 in 1000 children who undergo an abdominal CT scan might develop cancer from the radiation later in life.

In summary, while mobile CT scanners offer significant safety benefits in certain situations, the potential risks from radiation exposure should be carefully considered. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard imaging procedures that require moving critically ill pediatric patients to a radiology department, mobile CT allows for imaging right at the bedside. This is particularly beneficial for children in the NICU, CVICU, and PICU who may be too fragile for transport. Researchers are excited about mobile CT because it offers advanced imaging insights without the need for risky patient transfers, potentially improving diagnosis and monitoring with greater safety and convenience.

What evidence suggests that this mobile CT is effective for pediatric abdominal imaging?

Research has shown that mobile CT scanners can greatly improve patient care. For instance, one study found that 27% of these scans led to changes in patient treatment. In some cases, additional tests like surgery confirmed these results. While mobile CT is already approved for head scans, this trial explores its use for imaging the chest and abdomen in children. This could be especially helpful for pediatric patients in the NICU, CVICU, and PICU who are too sick to be moved to the radiology department, as CT scans can provide important information for their care. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children under 5 years old or small enough to fit into the CT scanner, who need detailed images of their chest or belly but can't be moved safely to the radiology department due to medical conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

My doctor says it's unsafe for me to travel due to my health.

I am under 5 years old or small enough to fit into the CT machine.

My doctor recommends a CT scan due to my disease's severity.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Imaging

Mobile CT scans are performed on pediatric patients in NICU, CVICU, and PICU to assess the safety and quality of chest and abdominal imaging

Up to 48 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness of the imaging procedure

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mobile CT

Trial Overview The study is testing whether a mobile CT scanner, already approved for head imaging in adults and kids, can also take safe and effective pictures of children's chests and abdomens without moving them to another location.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Mobile CT for pediatric patients in NICU, CVICU, and PICU Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Pediatric patients in NICU, CVICU, and PICU who are too ill to transport to the radiology department; could benefit from imaging for diagnosis and care. Advanced imaging modalities like CT can provide critical insights for monitoring pediatric patients with certain conditions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duke University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,495

Recruited

5,912,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07166926

Study Details | NCT07166926 | Pediatrics Mobile CT Advanced imaging modalities like CT can provide critical insights for monitoring pediatric patients with certain conditions.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7051518/

Review of Portable CT with Assessment of a Dedicated ... SUMMARY: This article reviews a number of portable CT scanners for clinical imaging. These include the CereTom, Tomoscan, xCAT ENT, and OTOscan.

3. ajronline.org ajronline.org/doi/10.2214/ajr.183.3.1830663

Portable Abdominal CT: Analysis of Quality and Clinical ... Thirty-three portable CT scans (27%) contributed to a change in patient treatment. Results of surgery or autopsy confirmed portable CT findings in 12 of 17 ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187595722030173X

Patient X-ray exposure and ALARA in the neonatal ... The aim of this study is to review published empirical studies on radiation dose from NICU X-ray imaging to gain insight into international norms for practice.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8845897/

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Effect of abdominal ultrasound on clinical care, outcomes, and resource use among children with blunt torso trauma: a randomized clinical trial.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26816039/

A Portable CT Scanner in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit ... PCT scanning is safe for unstable neurosurgical patients who need urgent diagnostic head CT, reducing the risks associated with transfer and the depletion ...

7. cda-amc.ca cda-amc.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/htis/2025/CM0039_Portable_CT_in_Canada.pdf

Portable CT for Use in the Hospital This process can be logistically complex, clinically risky, and resource-intensive, particularly for patients who are critically ill or immobilized. • Portable ...

8. catalinaimaging.com catalinaimaging.com/pediatric-mobile-ct-impact/

Mobile CT Scanners Transform Pediatric Healthcare #2. Minimizing the Need for Sedation and Radiation Exposure: Sedation is frequently required to ensure pediatric patients remain still during imaging procedures ...

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002234682200625X

Sustaining the gains: Reducing unnecessary computed ... It has been estimated that 1 in 1000 children undergoing abdominal CT imaging will die from radiation-induced cancers [4].