Stephan Anderson, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Brian C. Lucey MBBCh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jose Varghese, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jorge Andres Soto MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Purpose: In this study, we report our initial experience with the introduction of two 64 channel MDCT scanners at the Level 1 trauma center of our institution. Materials and Methods: This study includes all multi-trauma patients who underwent imaging with a 64 channel MDCT scanner (LightSpeed VCT, GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wis) including the head, cervical spine, chest, abdomen and pelvis at our Level I trauma center between April 27 and October 16, 2005. Axial images of the torso were acquired with intravenous contrast and a slice thickness of 1.25 mm. Since the introduction of 64 MDCT, we have developed protocols dictating routine CT angiography in patients with pelvic or lower extremity long bone fractures noted on initial plain films. CTAs are acquired with a slice thickness of 0.625 mm. All phases of imaging were acquired with a single bolus of contrast. MPR and 3D reformations were also generated. Parameters measured were: additional scans acquired using the same contrast bolus, scan time, and number of images generated. Results: To date, 445 multi-trauma patients have been evaluated using  64 MDCT at our institution. 387 (87%) patients included imaging of the cervical spine and brain, in addition to chest and/or abdomen and pelvis. 55 (12%) of these patients underwent additional imaging made possible by the speed of 64 MDCT. This included extremity, pelvic, or whole body CTA in addition to the remainder of the routine imaging. Mean scan duration of a multi-trauma protocol of the chest, abdomen and pelvis is seven seconds. The number of images ranges from 1168 images for a routine scan to 3548 images for a routine scan with additional pelvic and extremity CTA. Conclusion:Analysis of the integration of 64 MDCT technology into our imaging of multi-trauma patients reveals its beneficial impact. Pelvic and extremity angiography has been seamlessly integrated into our routine trauma protocols since the introduction of 64MDCT. Technical challenges include contrast bolus timing, radiation dose issues, as well as overwhelmingly large datasets. 64 MDCT truly affords further evolution of multi-trauma imaging.

Anderson, S, Lucey, B, Varghese, J, Soto, J, Hot Topic: 64 MDCT: A New Frontier in Multi-Trauma Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4425808.html