Clinical progresses and radiological findings in patients with head injury

Purpose

X-ray and computed tomography (CT) are currently the most effective tools in the analysis of head trauma patients. However, the standard for operation of X-ray and CT is still unclear. We investigated the clinical courses and radiological findings in patients with head injury, especially minor trauma.

Methods

The clinical subjects consisted of consecutive 217 patients, treated by our emergency medicine between January 2003 and December 2004. Among them, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores in 209 patients (96.3%) were 15. We investigated their clinical courses and radiological findings (X-ray and CT).

Results

Skull X-ray was performed in 90 patients (41.5%), and CT was performed in 114 patients (52.5%). Skull fracture was shown radiographically in six patients (2.8%), and abnormalities on the initial CT were seen in four patients (1.8%). Two hundred and nine patients with GCS scores of 15 had excellent prognosis except two died. One died because of delayed epidural hematoma, and the other because of crescendo cerebral swelling due to cerebral contusion in the bilateral frontal lobe.

Conclusions

Head trauma patients must be treated with attention and should undergo X-ray and CT examinations, even in minor injury.