Detection of fractures of hand and forearm in whole-body CT for suspected polytrauma in intubated patients
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of whole-body CT for diagnosis of hand and forearm fractures in intubated patients with suspected polytrauma. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on data collected from two trauma centres in Germany, including demographics, ISS, clinical symptoms, depiction in whole-body CT, and time to diagnosis. Results: Out of 426 patients included in the study, 66 (15.5%) suffered a hand or forearm fracture. The total number of fractures was 132. The WBCT report mentioned 98 (74.2 %). 16 (12,1 %) fractures of 12 patients were diagnosed later than 24 hrs after admission. Late diagnoses of fractures of the hand occurred more often if the hand was not fully included in the CT scan field. The sensitivity of WBCT for cases with fractures of hand and/or forearm with full inclusion of the corresponding area in the scan field was 80.2 %. Conclusions: This study shows that WBCT is a valuable diagnostic tool for hand fractures in polytrauma patients. Hands should be evaluated regardless of clinical presentation in intubated patients after suspected polytrauma if they are included in the whole-body CT.
Figure 1
Posted 17 Jan, 2020
On 22 Jan, 2020
On 15 Jan, 2020
On 15 Jan, 2020
Detection of fractures of hand and forearm in whole-body CT for suspected polytrauma in intubated patients
Posted 17 Jan, 2020
On 22 Jan, 2020
On 15 Jan, 2020
On 15 Jan, 2020
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of whole-body CT for diagnosis of hand and forearm fractures in intubated patients with suspected polytrauma. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on data collected from two trauma centres in Germany, including demographics, ISS, clinical symptoms, depiction in whole-body CT, and time to diagnosis. Results: Out of 426 patients included in the study, 66 (15.5%) suffered a hand or forearm fracture. The total number of fractures was 132. The WBCT report mentioned 98 (74.2 %). 16 (12,1 %) fractures of 12 patients were diagnosed later than 24 hrs after admission. Late diagnoses of fractures of the hand occurred more often if the hand was not fully included in the CT scan field. The sensitivity of WBCT for cases with fractures of hand and/or forearm with full inclusion of the corresponding area in the scan field was 80.2 %. Conclusions: This study shows that WBCT is a valuable diagnostic tool for hand fractures in polytrauma patients. Hands should be evaluated regardless of clinical presentation in intubated patients after suspected polytrauma if they are included in the whole-body CT.
Figure 1