Helical Computed Tomography, Fast and Accurate

Helical Computed Tomography Is Fast And Accurate For Screening Suspected Aortic Injury

Contrast-enhanced Helical Computed Tomography (CT), a new technology, is 99% accurate in diagnosing injuries to the aorta in trauma patients. This is the finding of a study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.

The study was presented on May 13 at the 99th Annual Meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society in New Orleans, LA.

This study investigated 210 patients with suspected aortic injury in a Level 1-trauma center. A Level 1-truama center is where the most severely injured patients are evaluated and treated. The CT findings were compared to the findings at angiography, surgery or clinical follow-up.

According to Robert A. Novelline, MD, the study chair, there is 100% assurance that the contrast-enhanced CT scan will not deliver a false negative report. This evidence confirms the importance of this procedure as an excellent screening test.

"Helical CT is fast, accurate, less expensive and easier for the patient", said Dr. Novelline, professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School and head of emergency radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Because Helical CT is so fast, it permits improved visualization of blood vessels, such as the aorta, Dr. Novelline said. The actual scanning takes only 90 seconds. "Not delaying the diagnosis of a potentially life-threatening injury is essential." he added.

The American Roentgen Ray Society, with some 12,000 member, is the first and oldest radiological society in the United States. The society is dedicated to the advancement of medicine through the science of radiology.

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