More than 300 people participated in a study by ULS Tâmega e Sousa. Sample reduced the use of TAC by 23%.
The Tâmega e Sousa Local Health Unit (ULSTS) carried out a study that promises avoid the use of Computed Tomography (TAC).
In the analysis, more than 300 users, all with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TCE).
The majority of patients (57.6%) were over 70 years old. 83.4% went to the emergency room after a fall. 4.6% were diagnosed with some type of intracranial injury, namely hemorrhage, contusion or fracture.
The study used blood tests to assess the presence or absence of biomarkers indicative of the presence of injury.
Between May and August this year, head injury studies carried out at ULSTS included users admitted to the service with mild TBI.
They had less than 12 hours of evolution and with an indication for a brain CT scan.
But one combination of laboratory tests allowed us to realize that patients presented a positive result potentially indicative of trauma with brain injury.
If the result was positive, users were referred for CT scans. If it was negative, they did not need an imaging test – the absence of biomarkers ruled out the diagnosis of TBI.
And the results they were promising: sensitivity values of practically 100% and a prediction of fewer patients needing TAC – 23% reduction – and a consequent lower exposure to radiation.
In addition to the improvements for patients, adopting this method would be a way of save money, drastically reducing TAC costs, reads a statement sent to ZAP.
And, with faster analysis, it would also allow a lot of time to be reduced. permanence of these patients in the urgency.
It is a possible “paradigm shift in the diagnosis of head trauma”analyzes Carla Freitas, Director of the Emergency Service.
Those responsible are thinking about moving forward with new studies, precisely to make standard this diagnostic tool in the future in hospital emergency services.
