Could Quantitative Electroencephalography Supplant Decision Rules for Minor Head Trauma?

The Canadian CT Head Rule, New Orleans Criteria, and the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study II Rule are 100% sensitive for traumatic head injury requiring neurosurgical intervention (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jan 2006 and JAMA 2005; 294:1519), but their specificity is lower, and their widespread implementation may have increased head computed tomography (CT) use in some settings. In a prospective, observational, manufacturer-sponsored study, investigators assessed whether quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) using a proprietary handheld device could improve specificity.

The researchers enrolled a convenience sample of 152 adult patients with minor head trauma who had head CT ordered as part of their routine care at two trauma c…