BACKGROUND: The wide availability of computerized tomography (CT) scan has popularized its use in initial and follow-up evaluations of @entity542 @entity1 . Follow-up CT scans of clinically stable @entity1 , however, may not provide additional information, but could potentially subject the @entity1 to secondary injuries. The authors investigated the correlation between CT scans and Glasgow @entity772 score (GCS), and complication rate during follow-up CT scans in an attempt to dissuade clinicians from obtaining unnecessary follow-up CT scans. METHODS: The medical records of 180 @entity1 with blunt @entity542 were retrospectively reviewed. Only @entity1 (117) with moderate and severe @entity542 were included in the study. A total of 319 follow-up brain CT's for 94 @entity1 were obtained. RESULTS: The change in CT scans was compared to the GCS the day of the scan. These two variables were found to be positively correlated by Chi-square analysis (chi 2 = 81.2; alpha < 0.001). CPP trend was found also be correlated with CT scan evolution by the Chi-square analysis (alpha < 0.001). When @entity1 had unchanged or improved GCS, 73.1% had improved or the same CT appearance. When @entity1 had a worse GCS, the CT was worse in 77.9%. A 16.9% (54/319) complication rate was documented during the follow-up scans (hemodynamic instability, @entity428 , desaturation, and @entity2146 ). This rate was higher in severe @entity542 (GCS 3-8) @entity1 than in moderate @entity542 (GCS 9-12) @entity1 . @entity1344 was the most common complication, which comprises 42.6% (23/54) of all complications. CONCLUSION: Because of the correlation between the CT scan appearance and the clinical status, as well as the detrimental effect of mobilizing critically ill @entity1 , the authors urge the use of follow-up CT scans only in @entity1 with clinical deterioration unexplained by ICP changes alone.

Follow-up computerized tomography (CT) scans in moderate and severe @entity542 : correlation with Glasgow XXXX Scores (GCS), and complication rate.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity428 :: ('MESH:D019586', 'Disease') :: ['increased intracranial pressure'] @entity542 :: ('MESH:D006259', 'Disease') :: ['head trauma', 'head injuries', 'head injury'] @entity772 :: ('MESH:D003128', 'Disease') :: ['coma'] @entity2146 :: ('MESH:D011595', 'Disease') :: ['agitation'] @entity1344 :: ('MESH:D043171', 'Disease') :: ['Hemodynamic instability']
@entity772 :: (MESH:D003128,Disease) :: ['Coma']
