title: A prospective clinical study of routine repeat computed tomography (CT) after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the repeated CT scanning in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to identify the conditions under which this approach is necessary.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventy-one patients who suffered TBI but were not surgically treated were divided into two groups: the routine-repeat CT group (n = 89) and the non-routine-repeat CT group (n = 82). The patients' clinical characteristics were compared. T-tests and stepwise logistic regression were used for analysis. Patients in the routine-repeat CT group were divided into three groups according to GCS scores to determine the need for routinely repeated CT scans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of neuro-ICU-LOS and LOS (p < 0.01). No significant differences emerged with respect to hospital charges and GCS scores at discharge (p > 0.05). AGE, international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer concentration (DD), GCS scores and number of hours between the first CT scan and the injury (HCT1) were influential factors of developing progressive haemorrhage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The routine-repeat CT group fared better than did the non-routine-repeat CT group. Routinely repeated CTs were minimally effective among those with mild TBI, whereas this procedure demonstrated a significant effect on patients with moderate and severe TBI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Shi-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Gan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: He-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Shi-Ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Peng-Qi
authors.initials: PQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Heng-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002681:China; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020199:Hematoma, Subdural, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed