[No uniformity in radiodiagnosis and advice by Dutch neurologists in patients with minor brain injuries].
OBJECTIVE
To determine diagnostic procedures and medical advice in cases of mild head injury in Dutch hospitals.


METHODS
Questionnaire.


METHODS
Academic Medical Hospital, Maastricht, the Netherlands.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to neurologists of 100 different Dutch hospitals.


RESULTS
The response was 85%. X-rays of the skull were made by 73% of the respondents, of the cervical spine by 46%. CT scans of the brain were made only on indication. A waking advice for the first 12-24 hours following a mild head injury was given in 95%. Bed rest and work stoppage were prescribed in 37% and 80% respectively. The duration of this bed rest and work stoppage varied from 1 to 14 days and from 2 to 24 days respectively. In 59% pain medication was prescribed and 40% of the patients were seen at least once for a control visit. In 25% of the hospitals a protocol for the treatment of these patients was used, and 52% of the neurologists considered such a protocol desirable.


CONCLUSIONS
This inquiry shows that no consensus exists regarding radiodiagnosis of patients with mild head injury in Dutch hospitals. Apart from the waking advice, the treatment also shows many discrepancies.
de Kruijk
J R
JR
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Neurologie, Maastricht.
Twijnstra
A
A
Leffers
P
P
D001510:Bed Rest; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography