RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE TRAUMA PATIENTS

The management of multiple trauma patients has improved recently. Surg eons' education, preclinical rescue structures, initial clinical surve y and therapeutic strategies, as well as diagnostic imaging, have prog ressed. Plain film imaging is increasingly being abandoned in favor of CT. Fast imaging techniques (spiral CT) have led to the inclusion of CT in the primary survey. To minimize the risk to the patient during p rolonged diagnostic time, algorithms have to be defined concerning str uctures, emergency room equipment and quality. Basics, state of the ar t and suggestions concerning management of multiple trauma patients ar e presented and discussed from the radiologist's point of view.