CT Head Criteria ☺️

Question 1

What are the criteria for CT head in adults with head injury within 1hr

Answer 1

Initial GCS U13
ED 2hrs+ GCS U15

Suspected open/depressed skull fracture
Signs of basal skull fracture

Seizures
Focal neuro deficit

Vomit 2+

Question 2

What are the criteria for CT cervical spine in adults within 1hr

Answer 2

Initial GCS U13

Intubated

Definitive diagnosis of Cspine injury urgently needed

Other body areas being scanned for head or multi region trauma

3 view cervical spine Xray abnormal

Alert and stable but suspicious of Cspine injury AND

• 65+
• dangerous MOI
• focal peripheral neuro deficit
• upper/lower limb paraesthesia

Question 3

What are the criteria for CT head in adults with head injury within 8hrs

Answer 3

65+
Current or past bleeding/clotting issues
Dangerous MOI
30mins+ retrograde amnesia before event
LOC since injury

Question 4

What are the criteria for 3 view Xray cervical spine in adults within 1hr of risk factor being identified

Answer 4

• simple rear end motor vehicle collision
• sitting or walking comfortably since injury
• delayed onset of neck pain

If none of the above met => 3 view Xray within 1hr

If any of the above met => active neck rotation possible?
-if not => 3 view Xray within 1hr