1) Discuss indications of the whole Body MDCT. 2) Describe whole body CT and continuous acquisition whole body CT angiography protocols currently in use. 3) Review key vascular and non-vascular injuries identified with whole body CT angiography that require urgent intervention.
Whole body CT is increasingly recognized as the emerging standard for providing rapid and accurate diagnosis within the narrow therapeutic window afforded to trauma victims with multiple severe injuries. With a single continuous acquisition, whole body CT angiography screens for all potentially injured organs, as well as vascular and bony structures, from the Circle of Willis to the symphysis pubis.
As its use becomes more widespread the large volume of information inherent to whole body CT poses new challenges to radiologists in providing efficient and timely interpretation. An awareness of trauma scoring systems and injury mechanisms is essential in maintaining an appropriate level of suspicion in the search for multiple injuries. The use of multiplanar reformats and 3D post-processing in maximizing efficiency of search is also stressed. Key injuries that require urgent surgical or percutaneous intervention will be presented. Common misleading artifacts and pitfalls are described, and considerations and controversies relating to radiation dose will be briefly discussed.
http://media.rsna.org/media/abstract/2011/11001190/kgjx54_11001190_Munera_MSVE32-01.pdf
Munera, F,
The Role of Whole Body 64 MDCT Angiography for Severe Blunt Polytrauma. Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11001190.html
