Portable computed tomography performed on the intensive care unit
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Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
Published on: September 6, 2024
Ulf K M Teichgräber1, Jens Pinkernelle, Jan-Steffen Jürgensen
1Department of Radiology, Charité Campus, Virchow Klinikum, Humboldt University, Augustenburgerplatz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. ulf.teichgraeber@charitie.de
Objective:
We report on the use of portable computed tomography (CT) in an ICU setting. The additional diagnostic gain and therapeutic consequences were assessed.
Patients:
Ten ICU patients underwent 14 portable chest CT examinations. In 64% maximum intensive care was required, according to TISS28 (>40), and 42% were at a risk of mortality higher than 25% (MODS) on the day of portable CT examination. In three portable CT examinations the patients were considered not transportable and were examined directly in the patient room. All other examinations were performed in a special interventional suite directly on the ICU.
Results:
Of 14 examinations 8 (57%) resulted in a change in patient management within 48 h. All patients profited from portable CT and no hazards occurred related to CT.
Conclusions:
To perform portable CT in the interventional suite on the ICU allows immediate minimally invasive therapeutic interventions and provides full ICU monitoring.
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