Improving the protocol for whole-body CT scans in trauma patients
Purpose While whole-body computed tomography is an established diagnostic method for the work up of polytraumatized patients, the protocols used differ between trauma centers. This study aimed to compare scan duration and estimated radiation of two protocols. Secondary aim was to assess if using the...
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Published in | European journal of trauma and emergency surgery (Munich : 2007) Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 3149 - 3156 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Berlin/Heidelberg
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
01.08.2022
Springer Nature B.V |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Purpose
While whole-body computed tomography is an established diagnostic method for the work up of polytraumatized patients, the protocols used differ between trauma centers. This study aimed to compare scan duration and estimated radiation of two protocols. Secondary aim was to assess if using the revised CT protocol reduced the number of additional images of the upper extremities.
Methods
Two groups of consecutive trauma patients, which both received a whole-body CT, were analyzed. Patients, who received a three-phased CT during which their arms needed to be repositioned from their side to above the head, were assigned to group A. Those, who received a CT with their arms placed on a pillow ventral to the abdomen throughout the entire scan were assigned to group B. Estimated radiation dose, scan duration, number of upper limb injuries and number of additional images of the upper limbs within 24 h after initial CT were assessed.
Results
Group A consisted of 182 patients, group B of 218. The scan duration was 3 min shorter (
p
< 0.001) and the estimated radiation dose lower (15.0 vs 22.9 mSv,
p
< 0.001) in group B. There was no difference in the number of upper limb injuries detected or the number of upper limb additional images required within 24 h.
Conclusion
Using a whole-body CT scan protocol in which the arms remain on a pillow ventral to the torso instead of one which requires a repositioning of the arms, both scan duration and estimated radiation dose can be reduced. Despite the arms being within the scanned area in the revised protocol, the number of additional imaging of the upper extremities could not be reduced. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 1863-9933 1863-9941 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s00068-021-01862-2 |