Pediatric Head Imaging Guidelines

This policy covers pediatric head imaging with advanced modalities (CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine) for a wide array of pediatric indications including headache, head and face trauma, seizures/epilepsy, congenital and structural disorders (e.g., craniosynostosis, Chiari, hydrocephalus), vascular lesions, stroke, developmental and behavioral disorders, ENT conditions, and related neurologic presentations. Major limitations require a recent (within 60 days) face-to-face evaluation with detailed history and neurologic exam (and appropriate labs) prior to advanced imaging, restrict application to patients <18 years per pediatric vs adult guidelines, prohibit routine screening of asymptomatic patients and indiscriminate or overlapping repeat studies without evidence of progression or documented impact on management, and note that anesthesia is usually required for most young children during MRI.

"Pediatric Headache"