CT scan

Question 1

When are CT scans usually carried out post head injury?

Answer 1

1 hour after or 8 hours after

Question 1

When are CT scans usually carried out post head injury?

Answer 1

1 hour after or 8 hours after

Question 1

What are the possible indications for carrying out a CT 1 hour post head injury?

Answer 1

GCS < 13 on initial assessment
GCS < 15 at 2 hours after the injury Suspected open or depressed skull fracture.
Any sign of basal skull fracture
Post-traumatic seizure.
Focal neurological deficit.
More than 1 episode of vomiting

Question 2

A GCS of less that what would indicate that a CT head should be carried out within 1 hour?

Answer 2

GCS less than 13 on initial assessment GCS less than 15 at 2 hours after injury

Question 3

How mnay episodes of vomiting would indicate that a CT head shouldbe carried out within 1 hour?

Answer 3

More than 1 episode

Question 4

Suspicion of which fractures would indicate that a CT head should be carried out within 1 hour?

Answer 4

Open or depressed skull fracture.
Any sign of basal skull fracture

Question 5

When should a CT head be carried out 8 hours post injury?

Answer 5

Adults who have who have some loss of consciousness or amnesia since the injury plus any of the RF

Question 6

What RF would indicate that a CT head should be carried out 8 hours post injury?

Answer 6

Age 65 years or older.
History of bleeding or clotting disorders.
Dangerous mechanism of injury
More than 30 minutes’ retrograde amnesia of events immediately before the head injury.

Question 7

What age is a RF that requires a CT 8 hours after injury?

Answer 7

65 Years and older

Question 8

A history of what type of condition would indicate a CT head 8 hours post injury?

Answer 8

Bleeding or clotting disorder (including anticoagulants)

Question 9

What are examples of dangerous mechanisms of injury that would require a CT head 8 hours post injury?

Answer 9

A pedestrian or cyclist struck by a motor vehicle
An occupant ejected from a motor vehicle
A fall from a height of greater than 1 metre or 5 stairs

Question 10

What presentation prior to the injury would indicate a CT head 8 hours post injury?

Answer 10

More than 30 minutes’ retrograde amnesia of events immediately before the head injury.

Question 11

A patient on which medication requires a CT head 8 hours post head injury?

Answer 11

Warfarin