Early detection of severe injuries after major trauma by immediate total-body CT scouts

Emergency Radiology in the First 24 h of Two Major Earthquakes on the Same Day and Radiologic Evaluation of Trauma Cases

BACKGROUND

On 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes occurred in Turkey on the same day. More than 50,000 people died, and more than 100,000 people were injured in these earthquakes. The aim of this study is to contribute to disaster management plans by evaluating the functioning of a radiology department and the imaging examinations performed after this disaster.

METHODS

The functioning of the radiology clinic at Malatya Training and Research Hospital in the first 24 h after the earthquake was evaluated. The images of 596 patients who were admitted to Malatya Training and Research Hospital for earthquake-related trauma between 6 February 2023, at 4:17 a.m. and 7 February 2023, at 4:17 a.m., and who underwent radiography and computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 37.3 ± 20.1 years. A total of 313 (52.5%) patients were male. The most frequently performed imaging test was a CT scan. In total, 437 (73.3%) of 596 patients underwent a CT scan. At least one body part was affected in 160 patients (26.8%). The most commonly affected regions were the thorax, vertebrae, and extremities. Thoracic findings were observed in 52 patients (32.5%), vertebral findings in 52 patients (32.5%), and extremity findings in 46 patients (28.7%). Fractures were the most common finding in our study. Of the 160 patients with pathologic findings, 139 (86.9%) had evidence of fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of radiology in disasters is important. When disaster preparedness plans are made, radiology departments should be actively involved in these plans. This will ensure the quick and efficient functioning of radiology departments.

Diagnostic utility of whole-body computed tomography/pan-scan in trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis study

Trauma is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. It is crucial to diagnose trauma patients quickly to provide effective treatment interventions in such conditions. Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT)/pan-scan is an imaging technique that enables a faster and more efficient diagnosis for polytrauma patients. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of WBCT in diagnosing injuries in polytrauma patients. We will also assess its impact on the mortality rate and length of hospital stay among trauma centers between patients who underwent WBCT and those who did not (non-WBCT). Twenty-seven studies meeting our inclusion criteria were selected among PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The criteria were centered on the significance of WBCT/pan-scan application in trauma patients. Stata version 15 was used to perform statistical analysis on the data. The authors have also used I2 statistics to evaluate heterogeneity. Egger and Begg's tests were performed to rule out any publication bias. Total of twenty-seven studies including 68,838 trauma patients with a mean age of 45.0 ± 24.7 years were selected. Motor vehicle collisions were the most common cause of blunt injuries (80.0%). Head, neck, and face injuries were diagnosed in 44% (95% CI, 0.28-0.60; I2 = 99.8%), 6% (95% CI, 0.02-0.09; I2 = 97.2%), and 9% (95% CI, 0.05-0.13; I2 = 97.1%), respectively. Chest injuries were diagnosed by WBCT in 39% (95% CI, 0.28-0.51; I2 = 99.8%), abdominal injuries in 23% (95% CI, 0.03-0.43; I2 = 99.9%) of cases, spinal injuries 19% (95% CI, 0.11-0.27; I2 = 99.4%), extremity injuries 33% (95% CI, 0.23-0.43; I2 = 99.2%), and pelvic injuries 11% (95% CI, 0.04-0.18; I2 = 97.4%). A mortality odd ratio of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.83-1.06; I2 = 40.1%) was calculated while comparing WBCT and non-WBCT groups. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide insight into the possible safety, efficacy, and efficiency of WBCT/pan-scan as a diagnostic tool for trauma patients with serious injuries, regardless of their hemodynamic status. In patients with serious injuries from trauma, whether or not there are indicators of hemodynamic instability, our recommended approach is to, wherever possible, perform a WBCT without stopping the hemostatic resuscitation. By using this technology, the optimal surgical strategy for these patients can be decided upon without causing any delays in their final care or greatly raising their radiation dose.

Availability and use of resources for emergency fracture care of pelvic trauma associated with haemorrhagic shock in Latin America: A cross-sectional study

Determining the true availability of resources and understanding the level of training of surgeons involved in the treatment of patients with pelvic fractures and haemorrhagic shock is critical. In the herein study, the availability of technical, technological, and human resources for the care of this injury in Latin America region was analysed, and the preferences of orthopaedic trauma surgeons when performing interventions for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pelvic trauma and associated haemorrhagic shock was described. A cross sectional web-based survey containing questions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to imaging resources, emergency pelvic stabilization methods, and interventions used for bleeding control was sent to 948 Latin America orthopaedic trauma surgeons treating pelvic fractures in the emergency department. Differences between regional clusters, level of training, type of hospital, and pelvic surgery volume were assessed. 368 responses were obtained, with 37.5% of respondents reporting formal training in pelvic surgery and 36.0% having available protocol for managing these patients. The most frequently used interventions were the supra-acetabular pelvic external fixator and pelvic packing. Limited hospital and imaging resources are available for the care of patients with pelvic trauma and associated haemorrhagic shock throughout Latin America. In addition, the training of orthopaedic trauma surgeons dealing with this type of injury and the volume of pelvic surgeries per year is heterogeneous. It should be urgently considered to develop management protocols adapted to Latin America according to the availability of resources, as well as to promote training in this severe life-threatening traumatic condition.

Mass Casualty Imaging-Policy, Planning, and Radiology Response to Mass Casualty Incidents

A mass casualty incident (MCI) is an event that generates more patients at one time than locally available resources can manage using routine procedures. By their nature, many of these incidents have no prior notice but result in large numbers of casualties with injuries that range in severity. They can happen anywhere and at any time and regional hospitals and health-care providers have to mount a response quickly and effectively to save as many lives as possible. Radiologists must go from passenger to pilot when it comes to MCI planning. When involved at the hospital-wide planning stage, they can offer valuable expertise on how radiology can improve triage accuracy and at what cost in terms of time and resources and thereby contribute a pragmatic understanding of radiology's role and value during MCIs. By taking ownership of MCI planning in their own departments, radiologists can ensure that the radiology department can respond quickly and effectively to unforeseen emergencies. Well-designed radiology protocols will save lives in an MCI setting.