Assessment of the indication for brain ct scan in patients with mild head injury (GCS 15) with or without post traumatic amnesia and episodic loss of consciousness

Postgraduate Thesis uoadl:2777873 370 Read counter

Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Μονάδες Εντατικής Θεραπείας και Επείγουσα Νοσηλευτική
Library of the School of Health Sciences
Deposit date:
2018-07-10
Year:
2018
Author:
Pagkozidou Agapi
Supervisors info:
Στέφανος Κορφιάς, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Γιώργος Βασιλόπουλος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Νοσηλευτική, Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Αττικής
Δημήτριος Παπαγεωργίου, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Νοσηλευτική, Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Αττικής
Original Title:
Η αξιολόγηση της ένδειξης για διενέργεια αξονικής τομογραφίας εγκεφάλου(CT) σε ασθενείς με ελαφριά κάκωση (GCS 15) με περιτραυματική αμνησία (ή και) επεισόδιο απώλειας συνείδησης
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
Assessment of the indication for brain ct scan in patients with mild head injury (GCS 15) with or without post traumatic amnesia and episodic loss of consciousness
Summary:
Mild head injuries account for the highest percentage of injuries among the general public (75% of all injuries). Many aspects of mild head injuries remain hazy especially in reference to any clinical results that may occur from research. This study focuses on ultra-mild head injuries (GCS = 15). According to international clinical studies, symptoms among patients who have sustained mild head injuries vary. Any arguments based on the principle that CT brain scans are too costly to be used on these patients cannot be defended. In any A & E department, a number of patients are diagnosed with pathological findings, many of which are of clinical importance. Thesis: This study takes an in-depth look at the definition of ultra-mild head injury (GCS = 15) in an A & E department according to the latest academic references by the ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). What is also noted is the importance of imaging approaches in the diagnosis of ultra-mild head trauma in an A & E department. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a sample of 99 adult patients who came into the A & E department of an Athenian General Hospital «Evagelismos» with ultra-mild head injury, from January 2017 till August 2017. Patients were interviewed utilizing a structured questionnaire which provided demographic characteristics, findings of clinical examination, the results of brain CT scans and the outcome of patients’ condition. The statistical analysis of the data was completed using SPSS software (SPSS Inc., 2003, Chicago, USA). The statistical significance level P 0.05, a value lower than 0.10, was considered an important statistical result. Findings: The most common causes of ultra-mild head trauma are car accidents and falls. Ultra-mild head injury occurs most often between middle aged men of Greek nationality. Clinical factors that result in a positive diagnosis using a CT brain scan are sex, age and any anticoagulant medication the patient might have been administered before trauma occurs. The same factors also relate to a patient’s admission to any Neurosurgical department. Results have shown that among all patients who were diagnosed using a CT brain scan, 84.4% were in need of hospitalization while 9% was not. Conclusion: Appropriate use of a brain CT scan that is completed according to all necessary clinical guidelines can positively impact the outcome of ultra-mild head injury. It must be denoted that all guidelines and criteria for the appropriate use of a CT scan are very important and should be utilized.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Mild head injury, Ultra-mild head injury, Brain CT scan, A & E department
Index:
No
Number of index pages:
0
Contains images:
Yes
Number of references:
85
Number of pages:
79
File:
File access is restricted only to the intranet of UoA.

Pagkozidou Agapi Master.pdf
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