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Erschienen in:
08.11.2019 | Original Article • TRAUMA - SCANNER
Four years of experience as a major trauma centre results in no improvement in patient selection for whole-body CT scans following blunt trauma
Erschienen in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology | Ausgabe 3/2020
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Introduction
Management of major trauma patients with evidence of polytrauma involves the use of immediate whole-body CT (WBCT). Identification of patients appropriate for immediate WBCT remains challenging. Our study aimed to assess for improvement in patient selection for WBCT over time as a major trauma centre (MTC).
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study of patients who presented to our MTC during distinct two-month periods, one in 2013 and the other in 2017. Patients over 18 years of age who presented primarily following blunt trauma and activated a major trauma call were included. All patients underwent either immediate WBCT or standard ATLS workup. Those undergoing WBCT had the results of their scan recorded as positive or negative.
Results
A total of 516 patients were included, 232 from 2 months in 2013 and 284 from 2 months in 2017. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients undergoing WBCT (61.6% vs 59.5%), selective CT (31.9% vs 32.4%) or no CT (6.5% vs 8.1%) between the cohorts. There was no improvement in the rate of negative WBCT observed between 2013 and 2017 (47.6% vs 39.6%, p = 0.17).
Conclusion
There was no improvement in patient selection for WBCT following trauma at our institution over a three-year period. Optimal patient selection presents an ongoing clinical challenge, with 39–47% of patients undergoing a scan demonstrating no injuries.