Incidental Findings on Whole-body Computed Tomography in Major Trauma Patients: Who and What?

Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) scans are frequently used for trauma patients, and sometimes, nontraumatic findings are observed. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients with nontraumatic findings on WBCT.

From 2013 to 2016, adult trauma patients who underwent WBCT were enrolled. The proportions of nontraumatic findings in different anatomical regions were studied. Nontraumatic findings were classified and evaluated as clinically important findings and findings that needed no further follow-up or treatment. The characteristics of the patients with nontraumatic findings were analyzed and compared with those of patients without nontraumatic findings.

Two hundred seventeen patients were enrolled in this study during the 3-year study period, and 89 (41.0%) patients had nontraumatic findings. Nontraumatic findings were found more frequently in the abdomen (69.2%) than in the head/neck (17.3%) and chest regions (13.5%). In total, 31.3% of the findings needed further follow-up or treatment. Patients with nontraumatic findings that needed further management were significantly older than those without nontraumatic findings (57.3 vs. 38.9; P < .001), particularly those with abdominal nontraumatic findings (57.9 vs. 41.3; P < .001). A significantly higher proportion of women were observed in the group with head/neck nontraumatic findings that needed further management than in the group without nontraumatic findings (56.3% vs 24.9%; P = .015).

Whole-body computed tomography could provide alternative benefits for nontraumatic findings. Whole-body computed tomography images should be read carefully for nontraumatic findings, particularly for elderly patients or the head/neck region of female patients. A comprehensive program for the follow-up of nontraumatic findings is needed.