title: Improving Outcomes in the Patient with Polytrauma: A Review of the Role of Whole-Body Computed Tomography.
abstract: Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is used for the workup of the patient with blunt polytrauma. WBCT is associated with improved patient survival and reduces the emergency department length of stay. However, randomized studies are needed to determine whether early WBCT improves survival, to clarify which patients benefit the most, and to model the costs of this technique compared with traditional workup. Advancements in modern multidetector computed tomography technology and an improved understanding of optimal protocols have enabled one to scan the entire body and achieve adequate image quality for a comprehensive trauma assessment in a short period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Box 359728, 325 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Electronic address: marting@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.affiliation: Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Digna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kool
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Box 359728, 325 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Lehnert
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: CT; Injury severity score; Mortality; Panscan; Polytrauma; Survival rate; Trauma; Whole-body CT