Comparison of management of minor head injuries in 2001 and 2002: radiological investigations
| 2001 (7 months) | 2002 (9 months) | Increase (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers refer to MHI patients during the two study periods: in 2001, the RCS guidelines were in operation, and in 2002 the “Cambridge” protocol (a modification of the Canadian CT rule). The Canadian CT rules were applied to each group to determine how many patients fulfilled the criteria for CT. * p<0.05. Data in parentheses are percentages unless otherwise stated. | |||
| Total MHI patients | 330 | 267 | |
| CT criteria fulfilled | 95 (29) | 91 (34) | 5 (−2.8 to 12.8) |
| CT criteria not fulfilled | 235 (71) | 176 (66) | −5 (−12.8 to 2.2) |
| CT scans performed on those fulfilling criteria | 37/95 (39) | 42/91 (46) | 7.2 (−6.9 to 1.4) |
| CT scans performed on those not fulfilling criteria | 10/235 (4) | 16/176 (9) | 4.8 (−1.3 to 9.8) |
| Total number of CT scans | 47 (14) | 58 (20) | 7.4 (1.3 to 13.7)* |
| CT scan normal | 10 (3) | 8 (3) | 0 (−2.7 to 2.7) |
| Skull radiography | 220 (67) | 15 (4) | −63 (−66.8 to 55.5)* |