Multidetector CT Angiography Highly Sensitive, Specific for Vascular Extremity Injury
Major Finding: All but 1 of 24 vascular injuries detected on CT angiography were confirmed intraoperatively, indicating that CT angiography is a highly sensitive and specific test for vascular injury of the extremities.
Data Source: Prospective case series with 73 patients.
Disclosures: The study was internally funded. The authors said they had no conflicts of interest.
FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE SURGERY OF TRAUMA
“These CT scanners are improving on a daily basis, and there’s true concern that we may be detecting clinically nonsignificant injuries,” he added.
Although Dr. Inaba said that the study showed MCTA sensitivity and specificity for vascular injury to be 100% each, the inconclusive study results indicate that neither could be 100%, said Dr. David Spain of the division of trauma/critical care at Stanford (Calif.) University Hospital. He was the invited discussant.
“The sensitivity and specificity analysis isn’t just for CTA. It’s actually for a structured physical exam followed by a CTA,” Dr. Spain commented.
The study was internally funded. The authors said they had no conflicts of interest.
