The benefit of routine thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computed tomography to evaluate trauma patients with closed head injuries.
BACKGROUND
The evaluation of multitrauma patients for blunt truncal injuries remains open for debate. We sought to evaluate the role of routine computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis as a screening tool for patients already undergoing cranial CT studies.


METHODS
Charts of blunt trauma patients admitted from June 2000 to June 2001 were reviewed for demographics, Glascow Coma Scale (GCS), physical and radiological findings, and length of stay.


RESULTS
Our study found that 38% of patients undergoing cranial CT scanning had a unexpected finding on body scans. Changes were made in 26% of the study group because results found on the adjuvant CTs.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional body CTs add minimal cost to the care of trauma patients but can significantly change the management. We believe it is beneficial to perform routine body CT examinations when performing cranial imaging for blunt head injury.
Self
Michael L
ML
Department of Surgery, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.
Blake
Anna-Maria
AM
Whitley
Macy
M
Nadalo
Leonard
L
Dunn
Ernest
E
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed