Systematized analysis of abdominal computed tomography: a protocol for emergency physicians
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55684/2024.82.e021Keywords:
Computed tomography, Abdomen, Emergency, ProtocolAbstract
Introduction: Abdominal computed tomography is an important imaging diagnostic modality in traumatic and non-traumatic emergencies, and some of these situations require immediate management. Therefore, the interpretation of the exam is often carried out by non-radiologists physicians who are inexperienced and more susceptible to mistakes during the images interpretation. Objectives: Systematize the evaluation of abdominal tomography scans by creating a protocol for emergency physicians, ensuring effective analysis of the requested exam and improving decision-making. Methods: To achieve this, a descriptive narrative study was carried out after a bibliographic review of the following databases: LILACS, SciELO, CAPES, PubMed and BIREME, concerning the tomographic diagnosis of abdominal emergencies. Following the review, the authors proposed their own protocol. Results: Traumatic and non-traumatic pathologies commonly affecting the abdomen and their potencial tomographic repercussions were identified. A systematization approach to examination assessment was proposede, named “Three essential CT findings in each diagnosis of abdominal emergencies”, which identifies the three main abnormalities visualized in the tomographic image of the most common abdominal pathologies in emergency services. Conclusion: due to its ease of memorization, coverage of the main pathologies and guidance for examination analysis, the protocol can assist in the ongoing education of emergency physicians, who are not specialists in radiology, facilitate decision-making and lead to improve patient outcomes. Future research may consider the application of the protocol to assess its effectiveness and validate it as a tool.
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