Whole-body computed tomography after major blunt trauma: is it necessary?

Abstract

Introduction: Trauma is a significant health problem today. Also, it is the foremost reason for death among people ages 1-45; for this reason, the economic and social effect is more articulated. The whole-body CT scans have become a standard procedure in managing trauma patients in many trauma centers. We think that whole body CT will be beneficial in patients with blunt trauma. Thus, we aimed to examine patients with blunt trauma who applied to the emergency department and had whole-body CT scans. Methods: Patient who applied to blunt trauma and had whole-body CT scans to the emergency department of a tertiary training and research hospital between Jan 1, 2021, and Jan 1, 2022, were examined in this single-center, retrospective study. The study population was established based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. ISS, GCS, and whole-body CT scans were compared for mortality. Results: Cranial bone fracture (p= 0.001), epidural hemorrhage (p= 0.001), traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (p= 0.001), cerebral edema (p= 0.003), and thoracic contusion (p= 0.046) were significant for mortality. Also, the number of pathological regions in whole-body CT scans was not associated with mortality (p= 0.587). ISS (p=0.001) and GCS (p= 0.001) predicted mortality in patients who experienced whole-body CT scans. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we can detect organ and tissue injuries quickly and in detail using whole-body CT scanning after major blunt trauma. In addition, various protocols are needed in multiple trauma patients to reduce the number of unnecessary WBCT scans. Therefore, whole-body CT scans may be helpful for selection, as ISS and GCS are markers of mortality. Keywords: Whole-body Tomography, Trauma, Trauma Imaging