• Cassandra Jeavons, Craig Hacking, Ludo F Beenen, and Martin L Gunn.
• Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. cassandrajeavons@gmail.com.
• Emerg Radiol. 2018 Aug 1; 25 (4): 367-374.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to review and compare the image quality and radiation dose of split-bolus single-pass computed tomography(CT) in the assessment of trauma patients in comparison to standard multi-phase CT techniques.MethodsAn online electronic database was searched using the MESH terms "split-bolus," "dual phase," and "single pass." Inclusion criteria required the research article to compare a split contrast bolus protocol in a single-pass scan in the assessment of trauma patients. Studies using split-bolus CT technique in non-traumatic injury assessment were excluded. Six articles met the inclusion criteria.ConclusionsParenchymal and vascular image qualities, as well as subjective image quality assessments, were equal or superior in comparison to non-split-bolus multi-phase trauma CT protocols. Split-bolus single-pass CT decreased radiation exposure in all studies. Further research is required to determine the superior split-bolus protocol and the specificity and sensitivity of detecting blunt cerebrovascular injury screening, splenic parenchymal vascular lesions, and characterization of pelvic vascular extravasation.

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