Improving the protocol for whole-body CT scans in trauma patients

Purpose While whole-body computed tomography is an established diagnostic method for the work up of polytraumatized patients, the protocols used differ between trauma centers. This study aimed to compare scan duration and estimated radiation of two protocols. Secondary aim was to assess if using the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of trauma and emergency surgery (Munich : 2007) 2022-08, Vol.48 (4), p.3149-3156
Main Authors: Studer, Stephanie, van Veelen, Nicole Maria, van de Wall, Bryan Joost Marinus, Kuner, Valerie, Schrading, Simone, Link, Björn-Christian, Knobe, Matthias, Babst, Reto, Beeres, Frank Joseph Paulus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical decision making
Critical Care Medicine
Emergency medical care
Emergency Medicine
Guidelines
Intensive
Medical diagnosis
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Original Article
Radiation
Sports Medicine
Surgery
Surgical Orthopedics
Tomography
Trauma
Traumatic Surgery
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Summary:Purpose While whole-body computed tomography is an established diagnostic method for the work up of polytraumatized patients, the protocols used differ between trauma centers. This study aimed to compare scan duration and estimated radiation of two protocols. Secondary aim was to assess if using the revised CT protocol reduced the number of additional images of the upper extremities. Methods Two groups of consecutive trauma patients, which both received a whole-body CT, were analyzed. Patients, who received a three-phased CT during which their arms needed to be repositioned from their side to above the head, were assigned to group A. Those, who received a CT with their arms placed on a pillow ventral to the abdomen throughout the entire scan were assigned to group B. Estimated radiation dose, scan duration, number of upper limb injuries and number of additional images of the upper limbs within 24 h after initial CT were assessed. Results Group A consisted of 182 patients, group B of 218. The scan duration was 3 min shorter ( p  
ISSN:1863-9933
1863-9941
DOI:10.1007/s00068-021-01862-2