Application of the 2007 NICE guidelines in the management of paediatric minor head injuries in a UK emergency department.

Background: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidelines containing clear criteria for CT scanning of children with head injury in 2007. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of adherence to these guidelines on the number of head scans requested.

Method: A retrospective case note review was carried out of all patients under the age of 16 years presenting to the emergency department with head injury in 2007.