Trauma management incorporating focused assessment with computed tomography in trauma (FACTT) - potential effect on survival

Multiple trauma in pregnant women: injury assessment, fetal radiation exposure and mortality. A multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Fetal radiation exposure in pregnant women with trauma is a concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fetal radiation exposure with regard to the type of injury assessment performed.

METHODS

It is a multicentre observational study. The cohort study included all pregnant women suspected of severe traumatic injury in the participating centres of a national trauma research network. The primary outcome was the cumulative radiation dose (mGy) received by the fetus with respect to the type of injury assessment initiated by the physician in charge of the pregnant patient. Secondary outcomes were maternal and fetal morbi-mortality, the incidence of haemorrhagic shock and the physicians' imaging assessment with consideration of their medical specialty.

RESULTS

Fifty-four pregnant women were admitted for potential major trauma between September 2011 and December 2019 in the 21 participating centres. The median gestational age was 22 weeks [12-30]. 78% of women (n = 42) underwent WBCT. The remaining patients underwent radiographs, ultrasound or selective CT scans based on clinical examination. The median fetal radiation doses were 38 mGy [23-63] and 0 mGy [0-1]. Maternal mortality (6%) was lower than fetal mortality (17%). Two women (out of 3 maternal deaths) and 7 fetuses (out of 9 fetal deaths) died within the first 24 h following trauma.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate WBCT for initial injury assessment in pregnant women with trauma was associated with a fetal radiation dose below the 100 mGy threshold. Among the selected population with either a stable status with a moderate and nonthreatening injury pattern or isolated penetrating trauma, a selective strategy seemed safe in experienced centres.

Changing the Patient's Position: Pitfalls and Benefits for Radiation Dose and Image Quality of Computed Tomography in Polytrauma

For computed tomography (CT), representing the diagnostic standard for trauma patients, image quality is essential. The positioning of the patient’s arms next to the abdomen causes artifacts and is also considered to increase radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various positionings during different CT examination steps on the extent of artifacts as well as radiation dose using iterative reconstruction (IR). 354 trauma-CTs were analyzed retrospectively. All datasets were reconstructed using IR and three different examination protocols were applied. Arm elevation led to a significant improvement of the image quality across all examination protocols (p < 0.001). Variation in arm positioning during image acquisition did not lead to a reduction of radiation dose (p = 0.123). Only elevation during scout acquisition resulted in the reduction of radiation exposure (p < 0.001). To receive high-quality CT images, patients should be placed with elevated arms for the trunk scan, as artifacts remain even with the IR. Arm repositioning during the examination itself had no effect on the applied radiation dose because its modulation refers to the initial scout obtained. In order to achieve a dose effect by different positioning, a two-scout protocol (dual scout) should be used.

Tertiary survey ultrasound has no diagnostic benefit in trauma patients without abdominal injuries on standardised initial whole-body computed tomography

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a routine tertiary survey ultrasound (US) on patient management in major trauma patients without trauma-related abdominal findings on standardised initial whole-body CT (WBCT).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, all WBCT scans acquired in major trauma patients between 07/2017 and 12/2019 at a university hospital and level I trauma centre were screened. 1,024 patients were included in the final analysis. Results of tertiary survey US and patient information (demographic data, trauma mechanism, imaging findings, clinical course, medical history, and anticoagulative medication) were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

Routine tertiary survey US revealed new abdominal findings in six out of 1,024 patients (0.6%). None of the patients had to undergo surgery or minimally invasive intervention, nor did any of the patients die as a result of abdominal injuries. Additional abdominal imaging after tertiary survey US was ordered in 39 patients (38 US, 1 US + CT). None of these patients required further treatment for abdominal injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine tertiary survey US after inconspicuous standardised initial WBCT did not change clinical outcome for abdominal trauma patients.

Effect of Earlier Door-to-CT and Door-to-Bleeding Control in Severe Blunt Trauma: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Blunt trauma is a potentially life-threatening injury that requires prompt diagnostic examination and therapeutic intervention. Nevertheless, how impactful a rapid response time is on mortality or functional outcomes has not been well-investigated. This study aimed to evaluate effects of earlier door-to-computed tomography time (D2CT) and door-to-bleeding control time (D2BC) on clinical outcomes in severe blunt trauma. This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients with severe blunt trauma (Injury Severity Score > 16). To assess the effect of earlier D2CT and D2BC on clinical outcomes, we conducted multivariable regression analyses with a consideration for nonlinear associations. Among 671 patients with severe blunt trauma who underwent CT scanning, 163 patients received an emergency bleeding control procedure. The median D2CT and D2BC were 19 min and 57 min, respectively. In a Cox proportional hazard regression model, earlier D2CT was not associated with improved 28-day mortality (p = 0.30), but it was significantly associated with decreased mortality from exsanguination (p = 0.003). Earlier D2BC was significantly associated with improved 28-day mortality (p = 0.026). In conclusion, earlier time to a hemostatic procedure was independently associated with decreased mortality. Meanwhile, time benefits of earlier CT examination were not observed for overall survival but were observed for decreased mortality from exsanguination.

[Prognostic implications of stone heart syndrome in cardiac arrest]

Der Begriff Stone heart ist definiert als systolische Kontraktur des Herzens und wird auch als kontraktiler Herzstillstand bezeichnet. Er wurde erstmals 1972 durch den US-amerikanischen Herzchirurgen Denton Cooley bei Patienten mit Bypass-Operation beschrieben. Das Stone heart ist meist Folge eines prolongierten Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstands, welcher zu einer Anoxie bzw. Hypoxie des Myokards führt. Es wird über 3 Traumapatienten berichtet, welche nach kardiopulmonaler Reanimation in der postmortalen Computertomographie (CT) ein Stone-heart-Phänomen zeigten.

Hybrid emergency room shows maximum effect on trauma resuscitation when used in patients with higher severity

BACKGROUND

The hybrid emergency room (ER) system is a novel trauma workflow that uses angio-computed tomography equipment in a trauma resuscitation room. Although the hybrid ER system decreases time to start surgery and endovascular treatments and improves mortality, the optimal target benefitting from this system remained unclear. We aimed to identify a subset of trauma patients likely to receive the greatest benefits from the hybrid ER.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Japan from August 2007 to January 2020. We consecutively included severe adult blunt trauma patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS], ≥16) and divided them into two groups: conventional group (August 2007 to July 2011) and hybrid ER (August 2011 to January 2020) group. We evaluated the association between the hybrid ER group and 28-day mortality using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The 28-day mortality trend during the study period was evaluated with restricted cubic spline analysis. To evaluate heterogeneity of effects within various patient severities, we evaluated whether the patients' ISS modified the effect of the hybrid ER on survival.

RESULTS

Among 1,050 trauma patients, the conventional group comprised 360 patients and the hybrid ER group comprised 690 patients. Injury Severity Score and probability of survival (Ps) were not significantly different between the groups. Twenty-eight-day mortality was significantly lower in the hybrid ER group (Ps-adjusted odds ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.71; p < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed that Ps-adjusted 28-day mortality sharply decreased approximately 200 days after installation of the hybrid ER. Increase of survival probabilities according to the increase of ISS was significantly improved in hybrid ER group (p = 0.014). Because ISS increased to >25, survival probabilities in the hybrid ER group were higher compared with those in the conventional group.

CONCLUSION

The hybrid ER may improve posttraumatic mortality, especially in patients with higher baseline severity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Serum D-dimer level as a biomarker for identifying patients with isolated injury to prevent unnecessary whole-body computed tomography in blunt trauma care

Background

Unnecessary whole-body computed tomography (CT) may lead to excess radiation exposure. Serum D-dimer levels have been reported to correlate with injury severity. We examined the predictive value of serum D-dimer level for identifying patients with isolated injury that can be diagnosed with selected-region CT rather than whole-body CT.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients with blunt trauma (2014–2017). We included patients whose serum D-dimer levels were measured before they underwent whole-body CT. “Isolated” injury was defined as injury with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≤ 5 to any of five regions of interest or with AIS score ≤ 1 to other regions, as revealed by a CT scan. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn for D-dimer levels corresponding to isolated injury; the area under the ROC (AUROC) was evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for several candidate cut-off values for serum D-dimer levels.

Results

Isolated injury was detected in 212 patients. AUROC was 0.861 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.815–0.907) for isolated injury prediction. Serum D-dimer level ≤ 2.5 μg/mL was an optimal cutoff value for predicting isolated injury with high specificity (100.0%) and positive predictive value (100.0%). Approximately 30% of patients had serum D-dimer levels below this cutoff value.

Conclusion

D-dimer level ≤ 2.5 μg/mL had high specificity and high positive predictive value in cases of isolated injury, which could be diagnosed with selected-region CT, reducing exposure to radiation associated with whole-body CT.

The Impact of the Tertiary Survey in an Established Trauma Program

INTRODUCTION

The trauma tertiary survey (TTS) was first described in 1990 and is recognized as an essential practice in trauma care. The TTS remains effective in detecting secondary injuries in the modern era.

METHODS

Trauma patients discharged between August 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016, were identified in our trauma registry. Collected data include TTS completion rates, detection of injuries, type of provider, and timing. TTS documentation was qualitatively evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of 407 patients, 264 patients (65%) received a TTS. Injury detection rate was 1.1.%. Average time to TTS was 41 hours. TTS were completed by resident physicians (46%) and advanced practice providers (APPs; 46%). TTS documentation was more complete for APPs than for resident physicians.

CONCLUSION

TTS remains an integral component of modern trauma care. Ongoing education on the significance of TTS and the importance of thorough documentation is essential. Provision of real-time feedback to providers is also critical for improving current practices.

Emergent Comprehensive Imaging of the Major Trauma Patient: A New Paradigm for Improved Clinical Decision-Making

Modern advances in the medical imaging layered onto sophisticated trauma resuscitation strategies in highly organized regionalized trauma systems have created a paradigm shift in the management of severely injured patients. Although immediate exploratory surgery to identify and control life-threatening injuries still has its place, accelerated image acquisition and interpretation procedures now make it rare for trauma surgeons in major centers to venture into damage control surgery unaided by computed tomography (CT) or other imaging, particularly in cases of blunt trauma. Indeed, because of the high incidence of clinically occult injuries associated with major mechanism trauma, and even lower energy trauma in frail or elderly patients, CT imaging has become as invaluable as physical examination, if not more so, in critical decision-making in support of optimal outcomes. In particular, whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) completed promptly after initial assessment of a major trauma provides a quick, comprehensive survey of injuries that enables better surgical planning, obviates the need for multiple subsequent studies, and permits specialized reconstructions when needed. For those at risk for problematic occult injury after modest trauma, WBCT facilitates safer discharge planning and simplified follow-up. Through standardized guidelines, streamlined protocols, synoptic reporting, accessible web-based platforms, and active collaboration with clinicians, radiologists dedicated to trauma and emergency imaging enable clearer understanding of complex injuries in high-risk patients which leads to superior clinical decision-making. Whereas dated dogma has long warned that the CT scanner is the last place to take a challenging trauma patient, modern practice suggests that, more often than not, early comprehensive imaging can be done safely and efficiently and is in the patient's best interest. This article outlines how the role of diagnostic imaging for major trauma has evolved considerably in recent years.

Concomitant Intra-Articular Glenohumeral Lesions in Fractures of the Scapula Body

Background: Scapula body fractures are rare injuries with an incidence of 1% of all fractures accounting for 3% to 5% of all upper extremity fractures. Fractures of the scapula commonly result from high-energetic trauma and fall from great height. While several studies focused on concomitant injuries of chest and head as well as the cervical spine, up to now in the common literature, no study exists analyzing the prevalence of concomitant intra-articular glenohumeral injury following extra-articular scapular fracture. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of concomitant intra-articular glenohumeral injuries in acute fractures of the scapula by performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder joint. Study Design and Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed at our academic Level I trauma center from November 2014 to October 2016. According to our clinical algorithm, all patients suffering from an acute scapula body fracture primarily underwent computed tomography (CT) for assigning the fracture according to the Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA)-classification and therapy planning. In addition, 3 T MRI-scans of all patients were performed within seven days after trauma. Results: Twenty-one (16 male/5 female, mean age 53 years (25–83 y) patients with scapula body fractures (OTA 14.A3.2 80.1%, OTA 14.A3.1 4.8%, OTA14.B3.1 4.8%, OTA14.C3 9.5%) were enrolled. MRI revealed 11 acute intra-articular injuries in 8 of 21 patients (38%). In all 21 patients, hematoma of the rotator cuff and periarticular muscles was present. Three patients (14.3%) presented a partial bursa sided tear of the supraspinatus tendon, whereas in 5 (23.8%), a partial articular sided supraspinatus tendon tear and in 2 (9.5%) patients, a subtotal tear was observed. One patient (4.8%) showed a complete transmural supraspinatus tendon tear. Conclusions: Traumatic concomitant glenohumeral injuries in scapula body fractures seem to be more frequent than generally expected. Subsequent surgical treatment of these formerly missed but therapy-relevant injuries may increase functional outcome and reduce the postoperative complication rate following scapula body fractures.

Association between computed tomographic thoracic injury scores and blood gas and acid-base balance in dogs with blunt thoracic trauma

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between thoracic injuries evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and arterial blood gas and acid-base status in dogs with blunt thoracic trauma caused by motor vehicle accidents.

DESIGN

Prospective observational clinical study.

SETTING

University teaching hospital.

ANIMALS

Thirty-one client owned traumatized dogs and 15 healthy dogs.

PROCEDURES

All trauma group dogs underwent a CT scan and simultaneous arterial blood gas analysis within 24 hours, but not before 4 hours, after the traumatic incident within a 45-month enrollment period.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Thorax injuries were classified as pulmonary, pleural space, or rib cage and each of these components was scored for severity using a CT composite pulmonary, pleural, and rib score. The trauma group arterial blood gas and acid-base status were evaluated for statistical difference from the control group. The pulmonary-arterial oxygen pressure was significantly lower in the trauma group compared to the control group that was supported by significant differences in the calculated variables of arterial blood oxygenation as well. There was also a significant correlation between the composite lung score and pleural score and the variables of arterial oxygen status. The pulmonary-arterial carbon dioxide pressure was not significantly different to any of the thoracic injury variables indicating normal alveolar ventilation. Acid-base imbalances were generally mild, insignificant, and variable.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Blunt thoracic trauma causes significant pulmonary and pleural injury and the blood oxygen economy is significantly affected by this. The functional measures of arterial blood oxygenation were well correlated with thoracic CT pathology. Alveolar ventilation was mostly spared but a clinically significant ventilation perfusion mismatch was present.

Error traps and culture of safety in pediatric trauma

Trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Due to a variety of factors, many pediatric trauma patients are initially evaluated and stabilized at adult hospitals that lack pediatric specific emergency medicine and surgical expertise. While similar to adult patients, the initial evaluation and resuscitation of pediatric patients does differ. Many of these key differences contribute to missed injury and susceptibility to error in the treatment of children. Here, we highlight a variety of differences between pediatric and adult trauma patients and clarify reasoning for these differences. Error traps that are discussed include missed cases of non-accidental trauma, missed blunt cerebrovascular injury, over use of CT (computed tomography) scans with unnecessary radiation exposure, missed small bowel or mesenteric injury, and unrecognized hemodynamic instability.

Whole-Body Computed Tomography During Initial Management and Mortality Among Adult Severe Blunt Trauma Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is increasingly being incorporated into the initial management of blunt trauma patients. Several observational studies have suggested that, compared to selective CT, WBCT is associated with lower mortality. In contrast, a randomized controlled trial found no significant difference in survival between patients undergoing WBCT compared to selective CT. Our objective was to confirm the association between WBCT and in-hospital mortality among adult severe blunt trauma patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study based on Japan Trauma Data Bank 2004-2015 registry data. The study population comprised adult severe blunt trauma patients with at least one abnormal vital sign: systolic blood pressure ≤100 mmHg, heart rate ≥120, respiratory rate ≥30 or ≤10, or Glasgow Coma Score ≤13. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. To adjust for both measured and unmeasured confounders, we performed instrumental variable (IV) analysis to compare the in-hospital mortality of patients undergoing WBCT with those undergoing selective CT.

RESULTS

Of 40,435 patients who were eligible for this study, 19,766 (48.9%) patients underwent WBCT. The proportion of patients undergoing WBCT significantly increased during the study period, from 10.7% in 2004 to 59.6% in 2015. Primary IV analysis showed a significant association between WBCT and lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.72-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

WBCT can be beneficial in patients with blunt trauma which has compromised vital signs. These findings from a nationwide study suggest that physicians should consider WBCT for blunt trauma patients when warranted by vital signs.

Development of injury risk models to guide CT evaluation in the emergency department after motor vehicle collisions

OBJECTIVE

The clinical evaluation of motor vehicle collision (MVC) victims is challenging and commonly relies on computed tomography (CT) to detect internal injuries. CT scans are financially expensive and each scan exposes the patient to additional ionizing radiation with an associated, albeit low, risk of cancer. Injury risk prediction based on regression modeling has been to be shown to be successful in estimating Injury Severity Scores (ISSs). The objective of this study was to (1) create risk models for internal injuries of occupants involved in MVCs based on CT body regions (head, neck, chest, abdomen/pelvis, cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine) and (2) evaluate the performance of these risk prediction models to predict internal injury.

METHODS

All Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2008 injury codes were classified based on which CT body region would be necessary to scan in order to make the diagnosis. Cases were identified from the NASS-CDS. The NASS-CDS data set was queried for cases of adult occupants who sought medical care and for which key crash characteristics were all present. Forward stepwise logistic regression was performed on data from 2010-2014 to create models predicting risk of internal injury for each CT body region. Injury risk for each region was grouped into 5 levels: very low (<2%), low (2-5%), medium (5-10%), high (10-20%), and very high (20%). The models were then tested using weighted data from 2015 in order to determine whether injury rates fell within the predicted risk level.

RESULTS

The inclusion and exclusion criteria identified 5,477 cases in the NASS-CDS database. Cases from 2010-2014 were used for risk modeling (n = 4,826). Seven internal injury risk models were created based on the CT body regions using data from 2010-2014. These models were tested against data from 2015 (n = 651). In all CT body regions, the majority of occupants fell in the very low or low predicted injury rate groups, except for the head. On average, 57% of patients were classified as very low risk and 15% as low risk for each body region. In most cases the actual rate of injury was within the predicted injury risk range. The 95% confidence interval overlapped with predicting injury risk range in all cases.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully demonstrated the ability for internal injury risk models to accurately identify occupants at low risk for internal injury in individual body regions. This represents a step towards incorporating telemetry data into a clinical tool to guide physicians in the use of CT for the evaluation of MVC victims.

[Reduction of treatment time for children in the trauma room care : Impact of implementation of an interdisciplinary trauma room concept (iTRAPS)]

INTRODUCTION

In addition to infrastructural and conceptual planning, smooth interdisciplinary cooperation is crucial for trauma room care of severely injured children based on time-saving management and a clear set of priorities. The time to computed tomography (CT) is a well-accepted marker for the efficacy of trauma management. Up to now there are no guidelines in the literature for an adapted approach in pediatric trauma room care.

METHODS

A step-by-step algorithm for pediatric trauma room care (Interdisciplinary Trauma Room Algorithm in Pediatric Surgery, iTRAP^S) was developed within the framework of an interdisciplinary team: pediatric surgeons, pediatric anaethesiologists, pediatric intensivists and pediatric radiologists. In two groups of patients from January 2014 to April 2015 (group 1) and from July 2015 to January 2017 (group 2) process quality was monitored by the time required for trauma room treatment until the CT scan was performed and used as a surrogate marker. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 0-16 years, who were evaluated in a level 1 pediatric trauma room with an injury severity score (ISS) ≥8 and the necessity for a CT scan.

RESULTS

Before (group 1) and after (group 2) implementation of iTRAP^S 16 patients were included in each group. There were no significant differences between the age and the ISS in the two groups of patients. The required time for trauma room treatment was significantly reduced from an average of 33.6 min before to 15.2 min after implementation of iTRAP^S (p < 0.01).

DISCUSSION

The required time for the trauma care room treatment could be significantly reduced by more than half after the implementation of iTRAP^S. The reasons were the interdisciplinary organization of the trauma room leadership, reorganization of patient transfer and improved briefing by emergency doctors.

CONCLUSION

Besides a well-organized trauma team, it is essential that the trauma room workflow is adapted to the specific structure of the hospital. Despite the limitations of the study the data demonstrate that the trauma room workflow enables an efficient management. By the interdisciplinary reorganization of the pediatric trauma room treatment with improved structures and standardized processes, patient care was more effective with a significant reduction in the time required for trauma room treatment. The suggested iTRAP^S concept could be used as a framework to establish individualized workflows for pediatric trauma room treatment in other hospitals. This algorithm should be supplemented by standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for the differentiated radiological diagnostic procedures in areas of traumatic brain injury (TBI), thoracic and abdominal trauma in children.

Whole-body computed tomography in severely injured patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an update on the relevant and recent studies on whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) imaging of severely injured patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

The advantages of WBCT in time saving, diagnostic accuracy and even in survival have been proven in numerous studies. WBCT can also be beneficial in haemodynamically unstable major trauma patients. The CT scanner should be located close to the emergency department or even in the trauma room. The issue of radiation is still quite important, however, iterative as well as split-bolus protocols can nowadays reduce radiation significantly. The question: which trauma patient should receive WBCT and which not is not yet solved sufficiently. Postmortem WBCT has a promising potential to promptly define the definitive cause of death of trauma victims comparably to traditional autopsy.

SUMMARY

On account of the recent advances, whole-body CT has become a crucial part of the initial in-hospital assessment of severely injured patients. It is recommended as the standard radiological tool for the emergency diagnostic work-up in major trauma patients.

Treating patients in a trauma room equipped with computed tomography and patients' mortality: a non-controlled comparison study

Background

To improve acute trauma care workflow, the number of trauma centers equipped with a computed tomography (CT) machine in the trauma resuscitation room has increased. The effect of the presence of a CT machine in the trauma room on a patient’s outcome is still unclear. This study evaluated the association between a CT machine in the trauma room and a patient’s outcome.

Methods

Our study included all trauma patients admitted to a trauma center in Yokohama, Japan, between April 2014 and March 2016. We compared 140 patients treated using a conventional resuscitation room with 106 patients treated in new trauma rooms equipped with a CT machine.

Results

For the group treated in a trauma room with a CT machine, the Injury Severity Score (13.0 vs. 9.0; p = 0.002), CT scans of the head (78.3 vs. 66.4%; p = 0.046), CT scans of the body trunk (75.5 vs. 58.6%; p = 0.007), intubation in the emergency department (48.1 vs. 30.7%; p = 0.008), and multiple trauma patients (47.2 vs. 30.0%; p = 0.008) were significantly higher and Trauma and Injury Severity Score probability of survival (96.75 vs. 97.80; p = 0.009) was significantly lower than the group treated in a conventional resuscitation room. In multivariate analysis and propensity score matched analysis, being treated in a trauma room with a CT machine was an independent predictor for fewer hospital deaths (odds ratio 0.002; 95% CI 0.00–0.75; p = 0.04, and 0.07; 0.00–0.98, respectively).

Conclusions

Equipping a trauma room with a CT machine reduced the time in decision-making for treating a trauma patient and subsequently lowered the mortality of trauma patients.

The role of whole-body computed tomography in the diagnosis of thoracic injuries in severely injured patients - a retrospective multi-centre study based on the trauma registry of the German trauma society (TraumaRegister DGU®)

Background

Thoracic injuries are a leading cause of death in polytrauma patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are of paramount importance. Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) has largely replaced traditional imaging techniques such as conventional radiographs and focused computed tomography (CT) as diagnostic tools in severely injured patients. It is still unclear whether WBCT has led to higher rates of diagnosis of thoracic injuries and thus to a change in outcomes.

Methods

In a retrospective study based on the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU^®), we analysed data from 16,545 patients who underwent treatment in 59 hospitals between 2002 and 2012 (ISS ≥ 9). The 3 years preceding and the 3 years following the introduction of WBCT as a standard imaging modality for the investigation of severely injured patients were assessed for every hospital. Accordingly, patients were assigned to either the pre-WBCT or the WBCT group. We compared the numbers of thoracic injuries and the outcomes of patients before and after the routine use of WBCT.

Results

A total of 13,564 patients (pre-WBCT: n = 5005, WBCT: n = 8559) were included. Relevant thoracic injuries were detected in 47.8%. There were no major differences between the patient groups in injury severity (pre-WBCT: median ISS 21; WBCT: median ISS 22), injury patterns and demographics. After the introduction of WBCT, only minor changes were observed regarding the rates of most thoracic injuries. Clinically relevant injuries were pulmonary contusions (pre-WBCT: 18.5%; WBCT: 28.7%), injuries to the lung parenchyma (pre-WBCT: 12.6%; WBCT: 5.9%), multiple rib fractures (pre-WBCT: 10.6%; WBCT: 21.6%), and pneumothoraces (pre-WBCT: 17.3%; WBCT: 21.6%). The length of stay in the intensive care unit (pre-WBCT: 10.8 days; WBCT: 9.7 days) and in hospital (pre-WBCT: 26.2 days; WBCT: 23.3 days) decreased. There was no difference in overall mortality (pre-WBCT: 15.5%; WBCT: 15.6%).

Conclusions

The routine use of WBCT in the trauma room setting has led to changes in patient management that are not reflected in the rates of diagnosis of severe thoracic injuries (e.g. tension pneumothoraces, cardiac injuries, arterial injuries). By contrast, there was a relevant increase in the rates of diagnosis of minor thoracic injuries, which, however, did not result in an improvement in survival prognosis.

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of whole-body computed tomography imaging in the management of trauma and injury

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injury is the third leading cause of death overall. To optimize the outcomes in these patients, hospitals employ whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) imaging due to the high diagnostic yield and potential to identify missed injuries. However, this delays time-critical interventions. Currently, there is an absence of any high-level evidence to support or refute either view. We present a meta-analysis of the available literature to elucidate the efficacy of WBCT in improving the outcomes of trauma, specifically the mortality rate.

METHODS

A systematic review of studies comparing WBCT and selective CT imaging in secondary survey was conducted, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Review and Scopus databases. The articles were evaluated for intervention using WBCT to reduce mortality rate, followed by subgroup analysis for other secondary measures, using Review Manager 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Eleven studies of 32,207 patients were included. There were lower overall (OR=0.79; 95% CI 0.74,0.83, p<0.05) and 24h mortality rates (OR=0.72, 95% CI 0.66,0.79, p<0.05) in the WBCT cohort. Additionally, patients in the WBCT arm spent less time in the emergency room (MD=-14.81; 95% CI -17.02, -12.60, p<0.00001) and needing ventilation (MD=-2.01; 95% CI -2.41, -1.62, p<0.05) despite a higher baseline injury severity score.

CONCLUSION

The analysis shows that WBCT is associated with better outcomes, including a lower overall and 24h mortality rate, however the included studies are mostly observational and show considerable heterogeneity. Further work is required to make definitive clinical recommendations for a tailored algorithm in managing trauma patients.

Do clinical guidelines for whole body computerised tomography in trauma improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary investigations? A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Introduction

Whole body computerised tomography has become a standard of care for the investigation of major trauma patients. However, its use varies widely, and current clinical guidelines are not universally accepted. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to determine whether clinical guidelines for whole body computerised tomography in trauma increase its diagnostic accuracy.

Materials and methods

A systematic review of Medline, Cinhal and the Cochrane database, supplemented by a manual search of relevant papers was undertaken, with narrative synthesis. Studies comparing clinical guidelines to physician gestalt for the use of whole body computerised tomography in adult trauma were included.

Results

A total of 887 papers were identified from the electronic databases, and 1 from manual searches. Of these, seven papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two papers compared clinical guidelines with routine practice: one found increased diagnostic accuracy while the other did not. Two papers investigated the performance of established clinical guidelines and demonstrated moderate sensitivity and low specificity. Two papers compared different components of established triage tools in trauma. One paper devised a de novo clinical decision rule, and demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy with the tool. The outcome criteria used to define a ‘positive’ scan varied widely, making direct comparisons between studies impossible.

Conclusions

Current clinical guidelines for whole body computerised tomography in trauma may increase the sensitivity of the investigation, but the evidence to support this is limited. There is a need to standardise the definition of a ‘clinically significant’ finding on CT to allow better comparison of diagnostic studies.

Whole body CT versus selective radiological imaging strategy in trauma: an evidence-based clinical review

BACKGROUND

Trauma patients often present with injuries requiring resuscitation and further evaluation. Many providers advocate for whole body computed tomography (WBCT) for rapid and comprehensive diagnosis of life-threatening injuries.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the literature concerning mortality effect, emergency department (ED) length of stay, radiation, and incidental findings associated with WBCT.

DISCUSSION

Physicians have historically relied upon history and physical examination to diagnose life-threatening injuries in trauma. Diagnostic imaging modalities including radiographs, ultrasound, and computed tomography have demonstrated utility in injury detection. Many centers routinely utilize WBCT based on the premise this test will improve mortality. However, WBCT may increase radiation and incidental findings when used without considering pre-test probability of actionable traumatic injuries. Studies supporting WBCT are predominantly retrospective and incorporate trauma scoring systems, which have significant design weaknesses. The recent REACT-2 trial randomized trauma patients with high index of suspicion for actionable injuries to WBCT versus selective imaging and found no mortality difference. Additional prospective trials evaluating WBCT in specific trauma subgroups (e.g. polytrauma) are needed to evaluate benefit. In the interim, the available data suggests clinicians should adopt a selective imaging strategy driven by history and physical examination.

CONCLUSIONS

While observational data suggests an association between WBCT and a benefit in mortality and ED length of stay, randomized controlled data suggests no mortality benefit to this diagnostic tool. The literature would benefit from confirmatory studies of the use of WBCT in trauma sub-groups to clarify its impact on mortality for patients with specific injury patterns.

[Anaesthesia procedures and invasive vascular access in severely injured patients at trauma room admission in Germany : An online survey]

BACKGROUND

The continuous monitoring of vital parameters and subsequent therapy belong to the core duties of anaesthetists during acute trauma resuscitation in the trauma room. Important procedures may include placement of arterial lines and central venous catheters (CVCs). Knowledge of indication, performance and localization of invasive catheterisation of trauma care in Germany is scarce.

METHODS

After approval of the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine we conducted an online survey about arterial and central venous catheterisation of severely injured patients with consideration of common practice used by anaesthetists in German trauma rooms. Data are presented in a descriptive manner.

RESULTS

Of 843 hospitals invited for the survey, 72 (8.5%) had complete and valid data and were thus included in the analysis. Of these, 47% were supra-regional (level 1) trauma centres, 38% regional trauma centres and 15% local trauma centres. The annual mean injury severity score (ISS) of admitted patients to these hospitals was 21 ± 10. In the trauma room, the responding hospitals place CVCs (49%) and arterial lines (59%) only in haemodynamically unstable patients, whereas 24% (CVC) and 39% (arterial line) do when pathological laboratory tests were confirmed. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) merely exist for placement of either arterial lines (25%) or CVCs (22%) in multiple trauma resuscitation. The decision to perform CVC or arterial line placement is usually (79%) at the discretion of the attending anaesthetist. The preferred anatomical access site for CVCs is the right internal jugular vein (46%) and for arterial lines the radial artery (without side preference) (57%), respectively. Of the responding hospitals, 49% prefer landmark-guided CVC-puncture (91% of arterial lines) instead of 43% using sonographic guidance (9% of arterial lines). Intravascular electrocardiography monitoring for CVC tip detection is used by 36%.

CONCLUSION

In Germany, medical indication and schedule of invasive vascular catheterisation of severely injured patients in the trauma room is rarely regulated by SOPs and often performed at the discretion of the attending trauma team. Sonographic assistance during vascular puncture and electrocardiography for CVC tip detection is not as common as in non-emergency anaesthesia. Further studies are required to explore the real necessity and safety of invasive vascular catheterisation in multiple trauma patients in order to improve trauma care.

[Cardiac post-resuscitation care. An indication for trauma whole-body CT?]

We report the case of a 51-year-old male patient who sustained a liver rupture following mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with the LUCAS® system. The patient was under anticoagulation and developed an abdominal compartment syndrome. Although the use of mechanical CPR devices, such as the LUCAS® system and the load distributing band (Autopulse®), is becoming more common, there are specific complications described in the literature, which are associated with mechanical CPR. It is important to differentiate between general complications associated with CPR and those which can be attributed to the application of mechanical CPR devices. Using the example of the presented case, this article outlines and discusses these points based on the currently available literature. It should also be noted that mechanical CPR can act in a similar way to chest trauma and can necessitate an investigation with contrast enhanced computed tomography.

Evaluation of a new imaging tool for use with major trauma cases in the emergency department

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate potential benefits of a new diagnostic software prototype (Trauma Viewer, TV) automatically reformatting computed tomography (CT) data on diagnostic speed and quality, compared to CT-image data evaluation using a conventional CT console.

METHODS

Multiple trauma CT data sets were analysed by one expert radiology and one expert traumatology fellow independently twice, once using the TV and once using the secondary conventional CT console placed in the CT control room. Actual analysis time and precision of diagnoses assessment were evaluated. The TV and CT-console results were compared respectively, but also a comparison to the initial multiple trauma CT reports assessed by emergency radiology fellows considered as the gold standard was performed. Finally, design and function of the Trauma Viewer were evaluated in a descriptive manner.

RESULTS

CT data sets of 30 multiple trauma patients were enrolled. Mean time needed for analysis of one CT dataset was 2.43 min using the CT console and 3.58 min using the TV respectively. Thus, secondary conventional CT console analysis was on average 1.15 min shorter compared to the TV analysis. Both readers missed a total of 11 diagnoses using the secondary conventional CT console compared to 12 missed diagnoses using the TV. However, none of these overlooked diagnoses resulted in an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) > 2 corresponding to life threatening injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though it took the two expert fellows a little longer to analyse the CT scans on the prototype TV compared to the CT console, which can be explained by the new user interface of the TV, our preliminary results demonstrate that, after further development, the TV might serve as a new diagnostic feature in the trauma room management. Its high potential to improve time and quality of CT-based diagnoses might help in fast decision making regarding treatment of severely injured patients.

[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in cardiac arrest following trauma]

For decades, survival rates of cardiac arrest following trauma were reported between 0 and 2 %. Since 2005, survival rates have increased with a wide range up to 39 % and good neurological recovery in every second person injured for unknown reasons. Especially in children, high survival rates with good neurologic outcomes are published. Resuscitation following traumatic cardiac arrest differs significantly from nontraumatic causes. Paramount is treatment of reversible causes, which include massive bleeding, hypoxia, tension pneumothorax, and pericardial tamponade. Treatment of reversible causes should be simultaneous. Chest compression is inferior following traumatic cardiac arrest and should never delay treatment of reversible causes of the traumatic cardiac arrest. In massive bleeding, bleeding control has priority. Damage control resuscitation with permissive hypotension, aggressive coagulation therapy, and damage control surgery represent the pillars of initial treatment. Cardiac arrest due to hypoxia should be resolved by airway management and ventilation. Tension pneumothorax should be decompressed by finger thoracostomy, pericardial tamponade by resuscitative thoracotomy. In addition, resuscitative thoracotomy allows direct and indirect bleeding control. Untreated impact brain apnea may rapidly lead to cardiac arrest and requires quick opening of the airway and effective oxygenation. Established algorithms for treatment of cardiac arrest following trauma enable a safe, structured, and effective management.

Immediate total-body CT scanning versus conventional imaging and selective CT scanning in patients with severe trauma (REACT-2): a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Published work suggests a survival benefit for patients with trauma who undergo total-body CT scanning during the initial trauma assessment; however, level 1 evidence is absent. We aimed to assess the effect of total-body CT scanning compared with the standard work-up on in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma.

METHODS

We undertook an international, multicentre, randomised controlled trial at four hospitals in the Netherlands and one in Switzerland. Patients aged 18 years or older with trauma with compromised vital parameters, clinical suspicion of life-threatening injuries, or severe injury were randomly assigned (1:1) by ALEA randomisation to immediate total-body CT scanning or to a standard work-up with conventional imaging supplemented with selective CT scanning. Neither doctors nor patients were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality, analysed in the intention-to-treat population and in subgroups of patients with polytrauma and those with traumatic brain injury. The χ(2) test was used to assess differences in mortality. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01523626.

FINDINGS

Between April 22, 2011, and Jan 1, 2014, 5475 patients were assessed for eligibility, 1403 of whom were randomly assigned: 702 to immediate total-body CT scanning and 701 to the standard work-up. 541 patients in the immediate total-body CT scanning group and 542 in the standard work-up group were included in the primary analysis. In-hospital mortality did not differ between groups (total-body CT 86 [16%] of 541 vs standard work-up 85 [16%] of 542; p=0.92). In-hospital mortality also did not differ between groups in subgroup analyses in patients with polytrauma (total-body CT 81 [22%] of 362 vs standard work-up 82 [25%] of 331; p=0.46) and traumatic brain injury (68 [38%] of 178 vs 66 [44%] of 151; p=0.31). Three serious adverse events were reported in patients in the total-body CT group (1%), one in the standard work-up group (<1%), and one in a patient who was excluded after random allocation. All five patients died.

INTERPRETATION

Diagnosing patients with an immediate total-body CT scan does not reduce in-hospital mortality compared with the standard radiological work-up. Because of the increased radiation dose, future research should focus on the selection of patients who will benefit from immediate total-body CT.

FUNDING

ZonMw, the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development.

Can clinical prediction tools predict the need for computed tomography in blunt abdominal? A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Blunt abdominal trauma is a common reason for admission to the Emergency Department. Early detection of injuries is an important goal but is often not straightforward as physical examination alone is not a good predictor of serious injury. Computed tomography (CT) has become the primary method for assessing the stable trauma patient. It has high sensitivity and specificity but there remains concern regarding the long term consequences of high doses of radiation. Therefore an accurate and reliable method of assessing which patients are at higher risk of injury and hence require a CT would be clinically useful. We perform a systematic review to investigate the use of clinical prediction tools (CPTs) for the identification of abdominal injuries in patients suffering blunt trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and NHS Evidence up to August 2014. English language, prospective and retrospective studies were included if they derived, validated or assessed a CPT, aimed at identifying intra-abdominal injuries or the need for intervention to treat an intra-abdominal after blunt trauma. Methodological quality was assessed using a 14 point scale. Performance was assessed predominantly by sensitivity.

RESULTS

Seven relevant studies were identified. All studies were derivative studies and no CPT was validated in a separate study. There were large differences in the study design, composition of the CPTs, the outcomes analysed and the methodological quality of the included studies. Sensitivities ranged from 86 to 100%. The highest performing CPT had a lower limit of the 95% CI of 95.8% and was of high methodological quality (11 of 14). Had this rule been applied to the population then 25.1% of patients would have avoided a CT scan.

CONCLUSIONS

Seven CPTs were identified of varying designs and methodological quality. All demonstrate relatively high sensitivity with some achieving very high sensitivity whilst still managing to reduce the number of CTs performed by a significant amount. Further studies are required to validate the results obtained by the highest performing CPTs before any firm recommendation can be used regarding their use in routine clinical practice.

[Importance of multidetector CT imaging in multiple trauma]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

Diagnostic imaging of complex multiple trauma remains a challenge for any department providing modern emergency radiology (ER) service. An early and comprehensive approach for ER imaging is crucial for a priority-oriented and timely therapy concept with the aim of identifying potentially life-threatening injuries early and initiating appropriate treatment.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

The basic diagnostic approach still consists of focused ultrasound using focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and conventional radiography (CR), usually limited to a single supine chest x-ray for triaging patients undergoing immediate operations.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has become established as early whole body CT (WBCT) as the undisputable diagnostic method. The detection rate of injuries by WBCT is outstanding and it improves the probability of survival by 20-25% compared with all other previous methods. At the same time, the spatial and temporal resolution of MDCT was improved resulting in considerably shortened examination times but WBCT is still associated with a significant radiation exposure, even in the acute single use setting. Using modern scanner and dose reduction technology, including iterative reconstruction, a dose reduction of up to 40% could be achieved. The substantial number of images in WBCT is another challenge; images must be processed priority-oriented, read and transferred to the picture archiving and communications system (PACS). For rapid diagnosis, volume image reading (VIR) offers additional options to keep the diagnostic process on time.

ACHIEVEMENTS/PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Modern WBCT after multiple trauma is performed early, comprehensively and personalized so that WBCT improves the probability of survival by 20-25%.

Improving Outcomes in the Patient with Polytrauma: A Review of the Role of Whole-Body Computed Tomography

Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is used for the workup of the patient with blunt polytrauma. WBCT is associated with improved patient survival and reduces the emergency department length of stay. However, randomized studies are needed to determine whether early WBCT improves survival, to clarify which patients benefit the most, and to model the costs of this technique compared with traditional workup. Advancements in modern multidetector computed tomography technology and an improved understanding of optimal protocols have enabled one to scan the entire body and achieve adequate image quality for a comprehensive trauma assessment in a short period.

[Interdisciplinary management of trauma patients : Update 3 years after implementation of the S3 guidelines on treatment of patients with severe and multiple injuries]

BACKGROUND

The recommendations still have to be implemented 3 years after publication of the S3 guidelines on the treatment of patients with severe and multiple injuries.

AIM

This article reiterates some of the essential core statements of the S3 guidelines and also gives an overview of new scientific studies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a selective literature search new studies on airway management, traumatic cardiac arrest, shock classification, coagulation therapy, whole-body computed tomography, air rescue and trauma centers were identified and are discussed in the light of the S3 guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The recommendations on airway management are up to date; however, recommendations on difficult airway evaluation tools, e.g. the LEMON law, should be included. The first pass success (i.e. intubation success at the first attempt) must be considered as a quality marker in the future. Video laryngoscopy is identified as a leading airway procedure in order to reach this aim. Recently estimated learning curves for endotracheal intubation and supraglottic airway devices should be implemented in qualification statements. Life-saving emergency interventions have to be performed in the prehospital setting as they do not prolong the complete treatment period for severely injured patients up to discharge from the resuscitation room. The outcome of patients suffering from traumatic cardiac arrest is better than expected. Recently developed algorithms for trauma patients have to be implemented. The prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS) and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) shock classification does not reflect the clinical reality; therefore, lactate, lactate clearance and base deficit should be used for evaluating the shock state in the resuscitation room. Concerning coagulation therapy, tranexamic acid is easy to administer, safe and effective as an antifibrinolytic therapy and should not be restricted to the most severely injured patients. Numerous studies have shown the positive effect of whole-body computed tomography on treatment time and outcome; however, clear indications for the use of whole-body computed tomography are lacking. Further investigations supported the positive effects of air rescue on the treatment outcome of trauma patients.

CONCLUSION

The recommendations on interdisciplinary trauma management contained in the S3 guidelines on the treatment of patients with severe and multiple injuries should be implemented into the clinical routine. Additionally, the knowledge gained from more recent scientific studies is necessary for anesthetists and emergency physicians to be able to adequately implement the core statements of the S3 guidelines for the treatment of patients with severe and multiple injuries.

Systematic review: effect of whole-body computed tomography on mortality in trauma patients

BACKGROUND

The initial diagnostic evaluation and management of trauma patients is mainly based on Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines worldwide. Based on ATLS principles, conventional diagnostics such as conventional radiography (CR) and focused abdominal sonography in trauma (FAST) should precede selective use of CT. Whole-body CT (WBCT) is highly accurate and allows detection of life threatening injuries with good sensitivity and specificity. WBCT is faster than conventional diagnostics and saves more time in management of trauma patients. This study aims to review studies investigating the effect of WBCT on mortality in trauma patients.

METHODS

Literatures were found by searching keywords in Medline, PubMed and Cochrane library. The relevant articles were selected by two independent reviewers based on title, abstract and introduction sections. Full-texts of selected articles were reviewed and those investigating effect of WBCT on mortality in trauma patients were included.

RESULTS

Searching the keywords in Medline and PubMed resulted in 178 and 167 articles, respectively. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. These included 8 retrospective and 1 prospective cohort studies. Mortality was measured as mortality rate or standardised mortality ratio (SMR) in the included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike previous systematic reviews, this review indicates that use of WBCT in blunt trauma patients is associated with reduced overall mortality rate and that WBCT can potentially improve the probability of survival in haemodynamically stable and unstable blunt trauma patients. High quality RCTs are required to describe a causal relationship between WBCT and mortality in trauma patients.

Whole-body CT-based imaging algorithm for multiple trauma patients: radiation dose and time to diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the number of imaging examinations, radiation dose and the time to complete trauma-related imaging in multiple trauma patients before and after introduction of whole-body CT (WBCT) into early trauma care.

METHODS

120 consecutive patients before and 120 patients after introduction of WBCT into the trauma algorithm of the University Hospital Zurich were compared regarding the number and type of CT, radiography, focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST), additional CT examinations (defined as CT of the same body regions after radiography and/or FAST) and the time to complete trauma-related imaging.

RESULTS

In the WBCT cohort, significantly more patients underwent CT of the head, neck, chest and abdomen (p < 0.001) than in the non-WBCT cohort, whereas the number of radiographic examinations of the cervical spine, chest and pelvis and of FAST examinations were significantly lower (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between cohorts regarding the number of radiographic examinations of the upper (p = 0.56) and lower extremities (p = 0.30). We found significantly higher effective doses in the WBCT (29.5 mSv) than in the non-WBCT cohort (15.9 mSv; p < 0.001), but fewer additional CT examinations for completing the work-up were needed in the WBCT cohort (p < 0.001). The time to complete trauma-related imaging was significantly shorter in the WBCT (12 min) than in the non-WBCT cohort (75 min; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Including WBCT in the initial work-up of trauma patients results in higher radiation doses, but fewer additional CT examinations are needed, and the time for completing trauma-related imaging is shorter.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

WBCT in trauma patients is associated with a high radiation dose of 29.5 mSv.

Effect of the localisation of the CT scanner during trauma resuscitation on survival -- a retrospective, multicentre study

INTRODUCTION

Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is increasingly becoming the standard diagnostic technique during the resuscitation of severely injured patients. However, little is known about the ideal localisation of the CT scanner within the emergency setting. We intended to analyse the potential effect of the localisation of the CT scanner on outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective multicentre cohort study involving 8004 adult blunt major trauma patients out of 312 hospitals, we analysed the effect of the distance of the trauma room to the CT scanner on the outcome. Three groups were built: 1. CT in the trauma room 2. CT equal or less than 50 m away and 3. CT more than 50 m away. Using data derived from the 2007-2011 version of TraumaRegister DGU(®) and the structure data bank of the TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) (trauma network, TNW; German Trauma Society, DGU) we determined the observed and predicted mortality and calculated the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) as well as logistic regressions.

RESULTS

n=8004 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria: their mean age was 46.4 ± 21.0 years. 72.8% of them were male and the mean injury severity score (ISS) was 28.6 ± 11.8. The overall mortality rate was 16.0%. The mean time from hospital admission to whole-body CT was 17.1 ± 12.3 min for group 1, 22.7 ± 15.5 min for group 2 and 27.7 ± 17.1 min for group 3, p<0.001. Risk adjusted SMR was 0.74 (CI 95% 0.67-0.81) in group 1, 0.81 (CI 95% 0.76-0.87) in group 2, and 0.88 (CI 95% 0.79-0.98) in group 3. SMR group 1 vs. SMR group 2: p=0.130. SMR group 2 vs. SMR group 3: p=0.170. SMR group 1 vs. SMR group 3: p=0.016. SMR groups 1+2 vs. SMR group 3: p=0.046. Comparable data were found for the subgroup analysis of Level-I trauma centres only. Logistic regression confirmed the positive effect of a close localisation of the CT to the trauma room. The odds ratio (OR) was lowest for the localisation of the CT in the trauma room (OR 0.68, CI 95% 0.54-0.86, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It was proven for the first time that a close distance of the CT scanner to the trauma room has a significant positive effect on the probability of survival of severely injured patients. The closer the CT is located to the trauma room, the better the probability of survival. Distances of more than 50 m had a significant negative effect on the outcome. If new emergency departments are planned or rebuilt, the CT scanner should be placed less than 50 m away from or preferably in the trauma room.

Damage control radiology in the severely injured patient: what the anaesthetist needs to know

In the treatment of severely injured patients, the term 'damage control radiology' has been used to parallel the modern concept of damage control surgery and the allied development of continuous damage control resuscitation from patient retrieval, through all transfers, to appropriate primary treatment. The aims of damage control radiology are (i) rapid identification of life-threatening injuries including bleeding sites, (ii) identification or exclusion of head or spinal injury, and (iii) prompt and accurate triage of patients to the operating theatre for thoracic, abdominal, or both surgeries or the angiography suite for endovascular haemorrhage control. If we are to achieve these aims, patients must have immediate access to modern multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) which is without doubt the most potent weapon in the diagnostic armamentarium. The most severely injured patients are those who have the most to benefit from early diagnosis and life-saving therapies. The traditional teaching that these patients should go immediately to surgery is challenged by technological developments in MDCT and recent clinical evidence.

Comparison of whole-body computed tomography vs selective radiological imaging on outcomes in major trauma patients: a meta-analysis

Introduction

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the value of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) in major trauma patients (MTPs).

Methods

A comprehensive search for articles from Jan 1, 1980 to Dec 31, 2013 was conducted through PubMed, Cochrane Library database, China biology medical literature database, Web of knowledge, ProQuest, EBSCO, OvidSP, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies which compared whole-body CT with conventional imaging protocol (X-ray of the pelvis and chest, trans-abdominal sonography, and/or selective CT) in MTPs were eligible. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The second endpoints included: time spent in the emergency department (ED), the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), the incidence of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) /Multiple Organ Failure (MOF). Analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.2.10 and Stata 12.0.

Results

Eleven trials enrolling 26371 patients were analyzed. In MTPs, the application of WBCT was associated with lower mortality rate (pooled OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.85) and a shorter stay in the ED (weighted mean difference (WMD), −27.58 min; 95% CI, −43.04 to −12.12]. There was no effect of WBCT on the length of ICU stay (WMD, 0.95 days; 95% CI: −0.08 to 1.98) and the length of hospital stay (WMD, 0.56 days; 95% CI: −0.03 to 1.15). Patients in the WBCT group had a longer duration of mechanical ventilation (WMD, 0.96 days, 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.61) and higher incidence of MODS/MOF (OR, 1.44, 95% CI: 1.35-1.54; P = 0.00001).

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis suggests that the application of whole-body CT significantly reduces the mortality rate of MTPs and markedly reduces the time spent in the emergency department.

[Emergency room management of multiple trauma : ATLS® and S3 guidelines]

Trauma management in the emergency room is an important part of the treatment chain of the severely injured. Important decisions with respect to diagnostics and treatment must be made under time pressure. Successful trauma management in the emergency room requires a hospital tailored treatment protocol. This written protocol needs consent from all participating disciplines and must be known by all members of the resuscitation team. The ATLS® and the recently published clinical practice guidelines on multiple trauma can be of help in order to establish or update such protocols. In order to continuously evaluate and improve performance in the emergency room local quality circles are needed that truly follow that aim. Important factors are reliability of agreement between the different disciplines and continuous communication of results to the team members. In order to be successful such quality circles need people that care.

Systematic review of the benefits and harms of whole-body computed tomography in the early management of multitrauma patients: are we getting the whole picture?

BACKGROUND

There is considerable interest in whether routine whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) imaging produces different patient outcomes in blunt trauma patients when compared with selective imaging. This article aimed to systematically review the literature for all outcomes measured in comparing WBCT with selective imaging in trauma patients and to evaluate the comprehensiveness of relevant dimensions for this comparison.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of studies comparing WBCT and selective imaging approaches during the initial assessment of multitrauma patients. Peer-reviewed studies including cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews were identified through large database searches and filtered through methodologic inclusion criteria. Data on study characteristics, hypotheses and conclusions made, outcomes assessed, and references to potential benefits and harms were extracted.

RESULTS

Eight retrospective cohort studies and two systematic reviews were identified. Six primary studies evaluated mortality as an outcome, and four studies found a significant difference in results favoring WBCT imaging over selective imaging. All five articles assessing various time intervals in hospital following imaging after injury found significantly reduced times with WBCT. Radiation exposure was found to be increased after WBCT imaging compared with selective imaging in the only study in which it was evaluated. The two systematic reviews analyzed the same three articles with regard to mortality but concluded differently about overall benefits.

CONCLUSION

WBCT imaging seems to be associated with reduced times to events in hospital following traumatic injury and seems to be associated with decreased mortality. Whether this is a true effect mediated through an as yet unsubstantiated change in management or the result of hospital- or individual-level confounders is unclear. When evaluating these outcomes, it seems that the authors of both primary studies and systematic reviews have often been selective in their choice of short-term outcomes, painting an incomplete picture of the issue.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic review, level III.

Whole-body CT in haemodynamically unstable severely injured patients--a retrospective, multicentre study

BACKGROUND

The current common and dogmatic opinion is that whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) should not be performed in major trauma patients in shock. We aimed to assess whether WBCT during trauma-room treatment has any effect on the mortality of severely injured patients in shock.

METHODS

In a retrospective multicenter cohort study involving 16719 adult blunt major trauma patients we compared the survival of patients who were in moderate, severe or no shock (systolic blood pressure 90-110,<90 or >110 mmHg) at hospital admission and who received WBCT during resuscitation to those who did not. Using data derived from the 2002-2009 version of TraumaRegister®, we determined the observed and predicted mortality and calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) as well as logistic regressions.

FINDINGS

9233 (55.2%) of the 16719 patients received WBCT. The mean injury severity score was 28.8±12.1. The overall mortality rate was 17.4% (SMR  = 0.85, 95%CI 0.81-0.89) for patients with WBCT and 21.4% (SMR = 0.98, 95%CI 0.94-1.02) for those without WBCT (p<0.001). 4280 (25.6%) patients were in moderate shock and 1821 (10.9%) in severe shock. The mortality rate for patients in moderate shock with WBCT was 18.1% (SMR 0.85, CI95% 0.78-0.93) compared to 22.6% (SMR 1.03, CI95% 0.94-1.12) to those without WBCT (p<0.001, p = 0.002 for the SMRs). The mortality rate for patients in severe shock with WBCT was 42.1% (SMR 0.99, CI95% 0.92-1.06) compared to 54.9% (SMR 1.10, CI95% 1.02-1.16) to those without WBCT (p<0.001, p = 0.049 for the SMRs). Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that WBCT is an independent predictor for survival that significantly increases the chance of survival in patients in moderate shock (OR = 0.73; 95%CI 0.60-0.90, p = 0.002) as well as in severe shock (OR = 0.67; 95%CI 0.52-0.88, p = 0.004). The number needed to scan related to survival was 35 for all patients, 26 for those in moderate shock and 20 for those in severe shock.

CONCLUSIONS

WBCT during trauma resuscitation significantly increased the survival in haemodynamically stable as well as in haemodynamically unstable major trauma patients. Thus, the application of WBCT in haemodynamically unstable severely injured patients seems to be safe, feasible and justified if performed quickly within a well-structured environment and by a well-organized trauma team.

Initial assessment and management of pediatric trauma patients

Injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children. Each year, almost one in six children in the United States require emergency department (ED) care for the treatment of injuries, and more than 10,000 children die from injuries. Severely injured children need to be transported to a facility that is staffed 24/7 by personnel experienced in the management of children, and that has all the appropriate equipment to diagnose and manage injuries in children. Anatomical, physiological, and emotional differences between adults and children mean that children are not just scaled-down adults. Facilities receiving injured children need to be child and family friendly, in order to minimize the psychological impact of injury on the child and their family/carers. Early recognition and treatment of life-threatening airway obstruction, inadequate breathing, and intra-abdominal and intra-cranial hemorrhage significantly increases survival rate after major trauma. The initial assessment and management of the injured child follows the same ATLS^® sequence as adults: primary survey and resuscitation, followed by secondary survey. A well-organized trauma team has a leader who designates roles to team members and facilitates clear, unambiguous communication between team members. The team leader stands where he/she can observe the entire team and monitor the “bigger picture.” Working together as a cohesive team, the members perform the primary survey in just a few minutes. Life-threatening conditions are dealt with as soon as they are identified. Necessary imaging studies are obtained early. Constant reassessment ensures that any deterioration in the child's condition is picked up immediately. The secondary survey identifies other injuries, such as intra-abdominal injuries and long-bone fractures, which can result in significant hemorrhage. The relief of pain is an important part of the treatment of an injured child.