Body computed tomography in critically ill patients.
The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of computed tomography in the management of critically ill patients. We performed a prospective study over a 4-month period. The requesting clinician was asked to document their clinical diagnosis and confidence thereof on a visual analogue scale. They were also asked about their management plan if computed tomography had not been available. After imaging, any change in the management plan was assessed. During the study period, 16 computed tomograms were performed on 14 patients. There were 21 possible clinical diagnoses: of these eight were confirmed, and 13 were refuted. Seven new diagnoses were established. Computed tomography did not help in the management of two patients and it led to more confusion in the management of one patient. The management of seven patients was altered after computed tomography and in six the management depended solely on computed tomography findings.
Kumta
N D
ND
John Farman Intensive Care Unit, Box 17, Addenbrooke's Hospital NHS Trust and the University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
Park
G
G
Toms
A
A
Housden
B
B
Dixon
A K
AK
D016001:Confidence Intervals; D016638:Critical Illness; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed