Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study
Context: Based on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), head injury can be classified as minor (GCS 13–15), moderate (GCS 9–12), and severe (GCS 3–8). There is a lot of controversy in the use of computed tomography (CT) in head injury patients. Aims: This study was intended to estimate the rate of CT positivity...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.onlinejets.org/article.asp?issn=0974-2700;year=2018;volume=11;issue=1;spage=25;epage=30;aulast=Waganekar |
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| author | Archana Waganekar Jagadish Sadasivan A Sathia Prabhu K T Harichandrakumar |
| author_facet | Archana Waganekar Jagadish Sadasivan A Sathia Prabhu K T Harichandrakumar |
| author_sort | Archana Waganekar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Context: Based on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), head injury can be classified as minor (GCS 13–15), moderate (GCS 9–12), and severe (GCS 3–8). There is a lot of controversy in the use of computed tomography (CT) in head injury patients. Aims: This study was intended to estimate the rate of CT positivity in head injury patients and to define the criteria for doing CT in head injury patients. Settings and Design: This was a prospective observational study in the emergency department (ED) over a 12-month period. Subjects and Methods: Study involved all head injury patients attending ED. Risk factors studied were a loss of consciousness (LOC), vomiting, seizures, ear bleed, nosebleed, external injuries, and alcohol intoxication. Statistical Analysis Used: Comparison of CT positivity with the patient's demographics and clinical characteristics was carried out using Chi-square. Results: A total of 1782 patients were included in this study. Overall CT positivity was 50.9%. In minor head injury (MHI), CT positivity rate was 38%. The study showed significant association of CT positivity with five variables: LOC >5 min, vomiting, seizures, ear bleed, and nosebleed. Conclusions: From the study, we recommend following: CT is indicated in all patients with moderate and severe head injury (GCS ≤12). Low threshold for taking CT is advisable in elderly and alcohol-intoxicated patients. In MHI, CT is indicated if any one of the following risk factors are present: LOC >5 min, history of vomiting, history of seizures, history of ear bleed, and history of nosebleed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:29:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df108b4516474d35aad4c06fe0807a69 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0974-2700 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:29:13Z |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock |
| spelling | doaj.art-df108b4516474d35aad4c06fe0807a692022-12-22T01:32:53ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock0974-27002018-01-01111253010.4103/JETS.JETS_112_17Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational StudyArchana WaganekarJagadish SadasivanA Sathia PrabhuK T HarichandrakumarContext: Based on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), head injury can be classified as minor (GCS 13–15), moderate (GCS 9–12), and severe (GCS 3–8). There is a lot of controversy in the use of computed tomography (CT) in head injury patients. Aims: This study was intended to estimate the rate of CT positivity in head injury patients and to define the criteria for doing CT in head injury patients. Settings and Design: This was a prospective observational study in the emergency department (ED) over a 12-month period. Subjects and Methods: Study involved all head injury patients attending ED. Risk factors studied were a loss of consciousness (LOC), vomiting, seizures, ear bleed, nosebleed, external injuries, and alcohol intoxication. Statistical Analysis Used: Comparison of CT positivity with the patient's demographics and clinical characteristics was carried out using Chi-square. Results: A total of 1782 patients were included in this study. Overall CT positivity was 50.9%. In minor head injury (MHI), CT positivity rate was 38%. The study showed significant association of CT positivity with five variables: LOC >5 min, vomiting, seizures, ear bleed, and nosebleed. Conclusions: From the study, we recommend following: CT is indicated in all patients with moderate and severe head injury (GCS ≤12). Low threshold for taking CT is advisable in elderly and alcohol-intoxicated patients. In MHI, CT is indicated if any one of the following risk factors are present: LOC >5 min, history of vomiting, history of seizures, history of ear bleed, and history of nosebleed.http://www.onlinejets.org/article.asp?issn=0974-2700;year=2018;volume=11;issue=1;spage=25;epage=30;aulast=WaganekarComputed tomographyemergency departmentGlasgow Coma scalehead injury |
| spellingShingle | Archana Waganekar Jagadish Sadasivan A Sathia Prabhu K T Harichandrakumar Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock Computed tomography emergency department Glasgow Coma scale head injury |
| title | Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study |
| title_full | Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study |
| title_fullStr | Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study |
| title_short | Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Head Injury Patients in Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study |
| title_sort | computed tomography profile and its utilization in head injury patients in emergency department a prospective observational study |
| topic | Computed tomography emergency department Glasgow Coma scale head injury |
| url | http://www.onlinejets.org/article.asp?issn=0974-2700;year=2018;volume=11;issue=1;spage=25;epage=30;aulast=Waganekar |
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