title: Analysis of Repeated CT Scan Need in Blunt Head Trauma.
abstract: Background. Computed tomography (CT) is a vital tool in the workup of patients with closed head trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of serial CT scans in patients with blunt head trauma. Methods. This is a retrospective study analyzing trauma patients between January and June 2012. Data were analysed by using frequencies, Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S), and Chi-square tests. Results. Of the total 351 control Head CTs, it was seen there were no different in 346 (98.6%). In CTs of another 3 patients (0.9%), there were increasing or new, in the other 2 (0.6%) there was a decrease in the pathology present. Of 24 (6.8%) patients who had a hemorrhage in the first CT, there was an increase in the hemorrhage in one of them, a decrease of the pathology in 2 of them. Of 27 (7.7%) patients who had fracture in first CT, 2 had a new intracranial hemorrhage. The relation of the results between the first and second CTs were statistically significant (P < 0.001, χ (2) test). Conclusion. Repeated CT scans after 6 hours in EDs observation rooms are not necessary if first CT is normal in most situations. Special attention may be needed in patients with an underlying chronic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Marmara University Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Üst Kaynarca, Pendik, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan Emre
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Marmara University Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Üst Kaynarca, Pendik, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozge
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Onur
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Marmara University Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Üst Kaynarca, Pendik, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sefer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Marmara University Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Üst Kaynarca, Pendik, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Denızbasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Research and Training Hospital, 34752 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demır
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Marmara University Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Üst Kaynarca, Pendik, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cıgdem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozpolat