[CT in the initial diagnostic evaluation of trauma]

Thirty-eight multi-traumatized patients admitted to the Emergency Room at the county hospital in Vejle underwent computerized tomography (CT) after a standard protocol in the initial evaluation. Eighteen patients were intubated during CT. Eighteen patients had positive findings in more than one of the regions of the body. In total 35 positive findings were made in the 38 patients. Our procedure of CT-scanning multi-traumatized patients is described and the use of CT in the initial evaluation of the multi-traumatized patient is discussed. We find that CT with a standardized procedure supplements the clinical evaluation with important information about potentially life-threatening conditions some of which may be clinically unexpected. Prior to CT the patient must be stabilized in the Emergency Room. After that CT is a simple modality, which furthermore is fast and safe to perform.