Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of incidental findings and the clinically significant ones in whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) scans in multiple trauma patients in the emergency department (ED).
Material and Methods: This study was designed as a single-centered retrospective cohort in a tertiary emergency room. Multiple trauma patients who were screened with WBCT in the ED in 2017 were analyzed. Incidental findings (IF) were categorized into 3 groups as group 1 (emergency treatment / need further examination), group 2 (need examination depending on the symptoms of patients) and group 3 (minor findings with no need for further examination).
Results: WBCT screening was performed in 206 of 3746 patients (5.4%) who were admitted to the trauma unit in ED due to multiple traumas. A total of 360 IFs were found in 138 (67%) of 206 patients. Of the patients, 13.3% were classified as group 1, 30.9% as group 2, 55.8% as group 3 and IF was detected, respectively (48, 111, 201). Cardiomegaly was the most common finding in group 1 (n = 11). In group 2, hepatomegaly (n = 18) and atherosclerosis (n = 13) were the most common ones observed. Brain calcifications (n = 42) and renal cysts (n = 17) were the most common findings in Group 3. The age distribution of patients with IF was statistically significantly higher compared to those without IF (43.54 ± 18.78, 25.16 ± 11.7, p

Key words: Multiple trauma; whole-body computed tomography; incidental finding; emergency.