Prior CT imaging history for patients who undergo PAN CT for acute traumatic injury

OBJECTIVE: A single PAN scan may provide more radiation to a patient than is felt to be safe within a one-year period. Our objective was to determine how many patients admitted to the trauma service following a PAN scan had prior CT imaging within our six-hospital system. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a prospectively collected trauma registry. The study was based at a level-two trauma center and five affiliated hospitals, which comprise 70.6% of all Emergency Department visits within a twelve county region of southern Texas. Electronic medical records were reviewed dating from the point of trauma evaluation back to December 5, 2005 to determine evidence of prior CT imaging. RESULTS: There were 867 patients were admitted to the trauma service between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. 460 (53%) received a PAN scan and were included in the study group. The mean age of the study group was 37.7 +/- 1.54 years old, 24.8% were female, and the mean ISS score was 13.4 +/- 1.07. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (47%). 65 (14%; 95% CI = 11-18%) of the patients had at least one prior CT. The most common prior studies performed were: CT head (29%; 19-42%), CT Face (29%; 19-42%) and CT Abdomen and Pelvis (18%; 11-30%). CONCLUSION: Within our trauma registry, 14% of patients had prior CT imaging within our hospital system before their traumatic event and PAN scan.