Early and delayed CT findings in patients with mild-to-moderate head trauma.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes between the initial and late cranial CT scans in patients with mild-to-moderate head trauma. MATERIAL and
Of the two thousand six hundred and forty-four patients hospitalized for head trauma within a two-year period, 112 (4.24%) patients scored 8 or above in the Glasgow coma scale and there were changes between initial and late head CT.
Of these, 103 had worsening CT findings. Neurological status deteriorated in 30% of these cases. Forty-six patients required surgery based on findings seen on the delayed scans. Neurological status was stable in 50% of the cases. All the eight patients who expired had abnormal CT scans initially and had progression in their late scans.
In patients with mild-to-moderate head trauma, serial CT scanning may independently modify treatment decisions in a subgroup of patients. Judgment for delayed scans should be made on an individual basis by taking the risk factors into account.