Emergency CT: experience in a general hospital

This retrospective study was performed to precise indications of emergency CT in a general hospital over a 30 months period. We tried to determine, wi th help of prior studies, the indications for CT of the brain in the manage ment of acute meningitis, acute headache, and in the management of head inj ury. In acute meningitis, there is no evidence to recommend CT of the brain before lumbar puncture, except to identify patients at increased risk of c erebral herniation. The imaging study of choice in subarachnoid hemorrhage is non enhanced CT scan. This exam has to be performed in case of acute hea dache. The CT evaluation of patients with minor head injury remains controv ersial.