RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Computerised tomography and acute traumatic head injury: time for change?
JF Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
JO Arch Emerg Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 80
OP 85
DO 10.1136/emj.13.2.80
VO 13
IS 2
A1 J Cranshaw
A1 G Hughes
A1 M Clancy
YR 1996
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/13/2/80.abstract
AB The aim was to reconsider the "Guidelines for initial management of head injury in adults"--particularly with respect to the indications for computerised tomographic (CT) scanning--suggested by "a group of neurosurgeons" over a decade ago and still followed in some accident and emergency (A&E) departments. These recommendations are placed in the context of more recent research and the increased number of A&E departments with on-site rapid access to a CT scanner but without a resident neurosurgical facility. A case can be made for an updated policy with more liberal indications for CT scanning of acutely head injured adults in peripheral A&E departments. However, calculating the cost-efficiency of more frequent use of what is now a common but relatively expensive resource would remain a challenge.