Yvonne Kalliope Maratos MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Adel Kalai MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Olivier Clément MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Loeb MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Guy Frija MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

We compared the results of systematic use of whole-body-CT-scan in polytrauma exploration to the results of focused on-demand CT-scans performed after clinical evaluation of polytrauma and the resulting changes in patient assessment, care and survival.

350 polytrauma victims (from January 2002 to March 2004) admitted at the level 1 Trauma Center European Hospital Georges Pompidou, Paris were reviewed retrospectively by experienced senior radiologists and clinicians.ISS (Index Severity Score), 24-hour mortality rate, number of chirurgical procedures and rate of delayed diagnosis were recorded.Our results were compared to those presented in the literature (multicentric studies) including 450 cases of polytrauma victims with comparable ISS assessed by focused, on-demand loco-regional scan after initial clinical evaluation.

Patients assessed with whole-body-CT-scan had better outcome:Percentage of delayed diagnosis was reduced from 24% to 7% by whole-body-CT (comparing patients with ISS >20).Surgical procedures were reduced from 52 to 36%.24-hour mortality is reduced from 16 to 9%.

Management of polytrauma victims by whole-body-CT-scan is highly recommended in order to enable prompt and early treatment of lesions and to ensure that the percentage of missed injuries is minimized, resulting in a better care of this patient group.

Maratos, Y, Kalai, A, Clément, O, Loeb, T, Frija, G, Which Assessment Should Be Preferred for a Polytrauma Victim?.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4414522.html