[Diagnosis of brain lesions and of early complications by CAT scan in traumatic patients in coma. Series of 265 cases (author's transl)]

Nouv Presse Med. 1981 Mar 14;70(12):971-3.
[Article in French]

Abstract

In every patient admitted with a traumatic coma a CAT scan was performed immediately (less than 6 hours after the accident). As a routine procedure another scan was performed 48 hours later; further scans were done depending upon the clinical and ICP conditions. The patients were operated upon or given a medical treatment from the CAT scan analysis only. Until now the brainstem lesions have not been seen on the first day CAT scan images. The CAT scan performed on the second day will show a stabilization or an expansion of the previous lesions: haemorrhage or oedema. Any change in the patient condition or in the IPC monitoring must lead to a new CAT scan revealing epidural or subdural haematomas, hydrocephalus, subdural hygroma, persistent oedema. Therefore the CAT scanner used by a neurosurgical team must be able to work day and night.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Injuries / complications
  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis
  • Brain Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Injuries / therapy
  • Coma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coma / therapy
  • Emergencies
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Pressure
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*