Abstract
Background The use of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) scans has greatly increased in the management of patients with major trauma. Sometimes, nontraumatic findings on WBCT are observed. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the proportion of nontraumatic findings on WBCT in major trauma patients and the characteristics of patients with nontraumatic findings on WBCT.Methods From June 2013 to May 2016, adult trauma patients who received WBCT were enrolled. The proportions of nontraumatic findings in different anatomical regions were studied. Nontraumatic findings were classified and evaluated as clinically important findings and findings that did not need further follow-up or treatment. The characteristics of patients with nontraumatic findings were analyzed and compared with those of patients without nontraumatic findings.Results A total of 217 patients were enrolled in this study during the 3-year study period, and 89 (41.0%) patients had nontraumatic findings. Nontraumatic findings were found more frequently in the abdomen (69.2%) than in the head/neck (17.3%) and chest regions (13.5%). In total, 31.3% of the findings needed further follow-up or treatment. Patients with nontraumatic findings that needed further management were significantly older than patients without nontraumatic findings (57.3 vs. 38.9, p<0.001), especially those with abdominal nontraumatic findings (57.9 vs. 41.3, p<0.001). A significantly higher proportion of females was observed in the group with head/neck nontraumatic findings that needed further management than in the group without nontraumatic findings (56.3% vs. 24.9%, p=0.015).Conclusions WBCT could provide alternative benefits for nontraumatic findings. The WBCT images should be read carefully for nontraumatic findings, especially for elderly patients. For female patients, the head/neck region should be carefully evaluated with WBCT for possible thyroid lesions. A comprehensive program for the follow-up of nontraumatic findings is needed.