title: [Importance of multidetector CT imaging in multiple trauma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Diagnostic imaging of complex multiple trauma remains a challenge for any department providing modern emergency radiology (ER) service. An early and comprehensive approach for ER imaging is crucial for a priority-oriented and timely therapy concept with the aim of identifying potentially life-threatening injuries early and initiating appropriate treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The basic diagnostic approach still consists of focused ultrasound using focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and conventional radiography (CR), usually limited to a single supine chest x-ray for triaging patients undergoing immediate operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has become established as early whole body CT (WBCT) as the undisputable diagnostic method. The detection rate of injuries by WBCT is outstanding and it improves the probability of survival by 20-25% compared with all other previous methods. At the same time, the spatial and temporal resolution of MDCT was improved resulting in considerably shortened examination times but WBCT is still associated with a significant radiation exposure, even in the acute single use setting. Using modern scanner and dose reduction technology, including iterative reconstruction, a dose reduction of up to 40% could be achieved. The substantial number of images in WBCT is another challenge; images must be processed priority-oriented, read and transferred to the picture archiving and communications system (PACS). For rapid diagnosis, volume image reading (VIR) offers additional options to keep the diagnostic process on time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modern WBCT after multiple trauma is performed early, comprehensively and personalized so that WBCT improves the probability of survival by 20-25%.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, HELIOS Kliniken München West, HELIOS Klinik München Perlach, Steinerweg 5, 81241, München, Deutschland, Ulrich.Linsenmaier@helios-kliniken.de.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Linsenmaier
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Geyer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Körner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reiser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wirth
mesh_terms: D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods*