Whole-Body Computed Tomography Trauma Imaging

Abstract

Whole-body computed tomography (CT) is becoming a mainstay of trauma imaging because it can help emergency department staff quickly and comprehensively evaluate the extent and severity of traumatic injuries. However, routine use of whole-body CT for trauma imaging remains controversial because of the lack of clear guidelines for appropriate use, concerns about how to manage incidental findings, and the risk posed by the modality's relatively high radiation doses. This article describes the pathobiology, epidemiology, and assessment of polytrauma and discusses the diagnostic evaluation of trauma with whole-body CT scanning.