Primary pan-computed tomography for blunt multiple trauma: can the whole be better than its parts?

Accuracy of single-pass whole-body computed tomography for detection of injuries in patients with major blunt trauma

“…12,13 Injuries that can only be visualized by a whole-body scan may overemphasize the severity of the injury and artificially increase the ratio of observed to expected survivors. 14,23 However, our data give support to the alternative theory that a primary pan-scan effectively omits many diagnostic steps between clinical suspicion and definitive proof of injuries that require immediate therapeutic attention.…”

Complementary exams in blunt torso trauma. Perform only radiographs and fast: is it safe?

“…Such data is relevant to this discussion, since full-body CT scans generate a radiation dose of 10-30mSv 6,8,[11][12][13][14][15] , which is up to 1,000 times greater than that of a PA chest X-ray, whose estimated dose is 0.01mSv 16 . Thus, a study which can demonstrate the safety of conventional tests, compared to full-body CT scans, can contribute greatly in improving the logistics of referrals to large Brazilian trauma centers 17,18 . Many recent articles describe the benefits of full-body CT scans, however few compare this strategy with conventional imaging, or selective tomography 4 .…”

Whole-body computed tomography is associated with decreased mortality in blunt trauma patients with moderate-to-severe consciousness disturbance

“…Since this was a retrospective, observational study, a causal relationship between WBCT and decreased mortality cannot be proven. 2,5 Scanning methods and indications for WBCT depended on the protocol of each emergency center, about which no information was available. Because data of TRISS predictors or outcomes were missing in the JTDB, the Ps values could only be calculated for 5,208 patients, 75.9% of the eligible 6,858 patients.…”