title: Rapid imaging protocol in trauma: a whole-body dual-source CT scan.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine whether a single acquisition whole-body trauma multi-detector CT scan is able to reduce resuscitation time, scan time, and effective radiation dose without compromising diagnostic quality in the setting of polytrauma. Retrospective analysis of 33 trauma patients undergoing single acquisition whole-body CT with injury severity scores of ≥ 16 was compared to 34 patients imaged with a segmented whole-body CT protocol. Time spent in the emergency department, effective radiation dose, image quality, and mortality rates were compared. The single acquisition group spent 53.7 % less time in the emergency department prior to imaging (p=0.0044) and decreased scanning time by 25 %. The protocol yielded a 24.5 % reduction in mean effective radiation dose (24.66 mSv vs. 32.67 mSv, p<0.0001). The image noise was similar in both groups. Standardized mortality ratios were comparable. The single acquisition protocol significantly reduces time spent in the emergency department by allowing faster imaging at a lower radiation dose while maintaining image quality. Other contributors to reduction in radiation dose include use of dual-source CT technology, removal of delayed CT intravenous pyelogram, and arm positioning.
authors.affiliation: Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 1M9, tonysedlic@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sedlic
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chingkoe
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Tso
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galea-Soler
authors.forename: Savvas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nicolaou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C054871:ioversol