Does Whole-Body CT in Early Trauma Resuscitation Increase Survival?

The authors of this retrospective study conclude that it does, but a prospective study is needed to answer the question definitively.

Whole-body computed tomography (CT) is increasingly being used as a diagnostic tool during early resuscitation of patients with major blunt trauma, but does this practice improve outcomes? To assess the effects of whole-body CT on survival to hospital discharge, researchers retrospectively analyzed data from a German, Austrian, and Swiss trauma registry for 2002 to 2004. Eligible patients had blunt trauma, had an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16, had been treated in an intensive care unit, and had not been transferred from other hospitals. Treating physicians decided whether to perform CT scanning and what parts of the body to scan.

Of 4621 eligible patients (mean age, 43; 73% men; mean ISS, 29.7), 1494 (32%) underwent whole-body CT (24% were…

Reviewing Author

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Editorial boardsKoenig & Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Editorial boardsKoenig & Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices