• R Löw, C Düber, F Schweden, L Lehmann, J Blum, and M Thelen.
• Klinik und Poliklinik für Radiologie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz.
• Rofo. 1997 May 1; 166 (5): 382-8.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of a fast whole body helical CT scanner for primary diagnosis in trauma patients.Methods27 severely injured patients (9 women, 18 men; mean age 43 years) were first examined with a helical CT scanner allowing for digital radiograms up to a length of 1024 mm and continuous helical scans of up to 70 seconds (slice thickness 3 to 10 mm, pitch factor up to 2). The primary CT diagnosis was verified either by x-ray after the CT examination or during the subsequent days, by abdominal ultrasound, by additional CT scans in the following days, and by clinical follow-up.ResultsCT showed all clinically relevant injuries of the head, spine, chest, abdomen and pelvis. The diagnosis and classification of vertebral fractures was performed immediately. 4% of the fractures of the extremities and the ribs were not seen primarily. 6% of the injuries were outside the CT scan field.ConclusionHelical CT is a reliable and fast method to obtain vital information and to improve management planning in severely injured patients. It reduces the number of conventional x-ray examinations. In certain cases, additional x-rays of extremity fractures may be required.

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