Single-pass Whole-body vs Organ-selective Computed Tomography for Trauma—Timely Diagnosis vs Radiation Exposure: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background Single Pass Whole-Body Computed Tomography (WBCT) has been used as a high yield diagnostic tool in trauma. However, increased exposure to radiation and delay in treatment, have been cited as challenges to its widespread use. We hypothesized that WBCT has at least the same radiation exposure compared to Organ-Selective CT and it does not inflict further delays in treatment. Methods We retrospectively review all trauma patients in whom CT-scans were performed on arrival at a Level I Trauma Center from January, 2016 to December, 2017. Results 123 patients were included: 53 in the OSCT group and 70 in the WBCT group. In the OSCT group, 64.1% of the patients had penetrating trauma and chest injuries were the most common injured body cavity (79.3%). In the WBCT group, 65.7% had blunt trauma and head injuries were the most common (71.9%) injured organ. The OSCT group required subsequent trips to the scanner suite for follow-up studies to rule out other potential injuries which in turn did not occur in the WBCT group (47.2% vs 0%, p< 0.001). The total radiation exposure dose was higher in the OSCT group compared to the WBCT group [22 mSv (IQR 6-31) vs 15.1 mSv (IQR 9.9-24.8) p<0.001]. Conclusion OSCT has the potential of missing potentially life threatening injuries that require subsequent follow-up scans. This, in turn, would increase the patient’s overall radiation exposure and potentially delay definitive surgical treatment. Trauma patients undergoing WBCT had lower total radiation exposure with no delay in treatment.