Computerized tomography (CT) in patients with head injuries. Relation between CT scans and clinical findings in 96 patients

In a retrospective series of 144 patients with cranial trauma admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, 96 were initially examined by CT. The initial clinical assessment, operative findings, if any, and the clinical course were compared to the results of the primary CT scan. In patients presenting lateralizing deficits, 49% had lesions on the expected side, and 23% on the opposite side. Thirty-one per cent of brain stem affected patients had a supratentorial mass lesion requiring craniotomy. Three decerebrate patients who had died had an initially normal CT scan. Thirty craniotomies were performed on the basis of the CT scan, and six cases deviated from the expected, but no case showed a false positive indication for surgery. The final diagnosis was in accordance with the initial clinical diagnosis, and with the initial CT scan in 44% and 84%, respectively, of all cases.