[Imaging of pediatric head injury]

Head injury is the leading cause of death and disability during the first two decades of life. Fifty percent of deaths are due to motor vehicle accidents and falls except in infants where death is due to abuse in 80% of cases. Medical imaging during early management of patients has significantly changed the prognosis of these injuries. The main types of injuries and their appearances at different imaging modalities will be reviewed. CT remains a valuable tool but MRI also is helpful at the time of initial evaluation as well as for prognostic evaluation.