A Case-matched Series of Immediate Total-body CT Scanning Versus the Standard Radiological Work-up in Trauma Patients

Background In recent years computed tomography (CT) has become faster and more available in the acute trauma care setting. The aim of the present study was to compare injured patients who underwent immediate total-body CT (TBCT) scanning with patients who underwent the standard radiological work-up with respect to 30-day mortality. Methods Between January 2009 and April 2011, 152 consecutive patients underwent immediate TBCT scanning as part of a prospective pilot study. These patients were case-matched by age, gender, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) category with control patients from a historical cohort (July 2006–November 2007) who had undergone X-rays and focused assessment with sonography for trauma, followed by selective CT scanning. Results Despite comparable demographics, TBCT patients had a lower median Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) than controls (10 vs. 15; p