Bibliogr. s. 22-23

Background: Due to great technological progress made over the last decade in computer tomography, CT has become a very successful tool for diagnostic imaging in polytraumatic patients. The purpose of this study is an optimum selection of parameters to detect all post-traumatic pathologies in polytraumatic patients, with the application of minimum ionizing radiation. Material/Methods: 131 patients with a suspected polytrauma were studied following various scanning patterns with a 64-slice CT of the head, neck, thorax and abdominal cavity with pelvis. The patients were divided into three groups in accordance with the chosen scheme. Materials were analyzed with the following in view: increasing the efficacy of detecting pathologies, decreasing radiation dose, simplifying assessment and facilitating image archiving. Results: The following mean numbers of serious post-traumatic pathologies were diagnosed during one examination: group I - 1.8, group II - 2.8, and group III - 2.1. There was a statistically significant reduction in the number of reconstructions performed during one examination from 11.8 in group I, 8.3 in group II, to 7.2 in group III. Additionally, statistically significant reductions were obtained in the mean values of the dose-length product (DLP): 3361 mGy × cm (group I), 2805 mGy × cm (group II), 2583 mGy × cm (group III). Conclusions: The third scanning pattern, which comprised multiple adjacent sections scanned jointly, including a single trunk scan following the administration of a contrast material, is best in terms of evaluation comfort and the lowest radiation dose absorbed by the patient. Patterns II and III are most effective in detecting pathologies.