title: Radiologic diagnostic procedures in severely injured patients - is only whole-body multislice computed tomography the answer?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whole-body multislice computed tomography (WB-MSCT) has become an important diagnostic tool in the early treatment phase of severely injured patients. The optimal moment of WB-MSCT's use during this treatment phase remains unclear. Many trauma centers use WB-MSCT in addition to conventional radiographs, while some trauma centers use WB-MSCT as the only radiological tool. The aim of this study was to determine the differences between these two protocols and to answer the question of whether conventional radiographs can still be used in the safe treatment of polytrauma patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients from the TraumaRegister DGU® with an injury severity score (ISS) of ≥16 were included. Group I received conventional radiographs and focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) prior to a WB-MSCT, and group II received an initial WB-MSCT and FAST. Both groups were compared concerning treatment time and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3,995 patients in group I were compared to 4,025 patients in group II. There were no differences in ISS (29.97 vs. 29.94), gender (male: 73.5% vs. 72.8%), age (45.47 vs. 45.12 years), or calculated mortality (21.41% vs. 21.44%). Time needed in the resuscitation room was slightly longer in group I (72 vs. 64 min); the durations until admittance to the ICU and arrival to the OR were not significantly different between the groups. There was no difference in mortality (18.2% vs. 18.4%) or the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) (0.85 vs. 0.86).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WB-MSCT plays an inherent role in the treatment of multiple-injured patients. However, the use of WB-MSCT as the only diagnostic method in the resuscitation room is not needed. Conventional radiographs and FAST followed by WB-MSCT can be performed in the early resuscitation phase without impairing patient outcomes. This approach enables the emergency room team to perform life-saving procedures - chest-tube insertion, laparotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation -immediately and simultaneous. Nevertheless, randomized multi-center trials are needed to determine the comparability and effectiveness of these algorithms.
authors: Department of Orthopedic, Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Topp
authors: Institute for research in operative medicine (IFOM), University of Witten/Herdecke, Ostmeerheimer Str. 200, Haus 38, 51109 Cologne, Germany.
authors: Rolf
authors: R
authors: Lefering
authors: Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
authors: Caroline L
authors: CL
authors: Lopez
authors: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Ruchholtz
authors: Department of Orthopedic, Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Ertel
authors: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
authors: Christian A
authors: CA
authors: Kühne
keywords: Blunt trauma; Multislice CT; Polytrauma; Radiological diagnostics; Whole body CT