Questions and Answers
What are the recommended timeframes for performing a CT head scan in adults with certain risk factors?
CT head scan should be performed within 1 hour for adults with certain risk factors, including GCS less than 13, post-traumatic seizure, and suspected skull fracture. CT head scan should be performed within 8 hours for adults with certain risk factors, including age 65 or older and a dangerous mechanism of injury.
What are the recommended timeframes for performing a CT head scan in children with certain risk factors?
CT head scan should be performed within 1 hour for children with certain risk factors, including suspicion of non-accidental injury and focal neurological deficit. CT head scan should be performed within 1 hour for children with more than 1 risk factor, including loss of consciousness lasting more than 5 minutes and dangerous mechanism of injury. Children with only 1 risk factor should be observed for a minimum of 4 hours after the head injury.
Why is MRI not recommended as the primary investigation for detecting acute clinically important brain injuries?
MRI should not be performed as the primary investigation due to safety, logistic, and resource reasons. Appropriate equipment and precautions should be in place for MRI scanning.
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Study Notes
- CT imaging is the primary investigation for detecting acute clinically important brain injuries.
- MRI should not be performed as the primary investigation due to safety, logistic, and resource reasons.
- Appropriate equipment and precautions should be in place for MRI scanning.
- Patients with GCS 15 may be admitted for observation if CT imaging is unavailable.
- CT head scan should be performed within 1 hour for adults with certain risk factors, including GCS less than 13, post-traumatic seizure, and suspected skull fracture.
- CT head scan should be performed within 8 hours for adults with certain risk factors, including age 65 or older and dangerous mechanism of injury.
- CT head scan should be performed within 1 hour for children with certain risk factors, including suspicion of non-accidental injury and focal neurological deficit.
- CT head scan should be performed within 1 hour for children with more than 1 risk factor, including loss of consciousness lasting more than 5 minutes and dangerous mechanism of injury.
- Children with only 1 risk factor should be observed for a minimum of 4 hours after the head injury.
- A provisional written radiology report should be made available within 1 hour of the scan being performed.
