The Reliability of Nonreconstructed Computerized Tomographic Scans of the Abdomen and Pelvis in Detecting Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries in Blunt Trauma Patients with Altered Mental Status

Abstract

Nonreconstructed computerized tomography detected fractures of the thoracolumbar spine more accurately than plain radiographs did and is recommended for the diagnosis of thoracolumbar spine fractures in acute trauma patients with altered mental status. Reconstructions do not need to be ordered unless an abnormality that is found on the nonreconstructed computerized tomographic scan needs additional elucidation.