# Correlation Between the Revised Physiological Trauma Score and CT Scan Results

## TL;DR

This study found that a trauma score called rPTS is somewhat linked to CT scan results, but not reliably enough to avoid CT scans in trauma patients.

## Contribution

The study is the first to directly correlate the Revised Physiological Trauma Score with CT scan outcomes in trauma patients.

## Key findings

- Patients with negative CT scans had a higher mean rPTS than those with positive scans.
- Lower rPTS scores were associated with a higher rate of positive CT scans.
- Even patients with normal rPTS scores still had abnormal CT findings in over 70% of cases.

## Abstract

Background

Trauma-scoring systems are used to triage patients and assist in clinical decision-making. Physiological trauma scores are used for quantitative evaluation of injury severity. However, only a few, such as the Revised Physiological Trauma Score (rPTS), have been proven effective in pre-clinical use. There is a constant need for clinical decision tools that aim to reduce the unnecessary use of CT scans among trauma patients. To our knowledge, no study has directly correlated the rPTS and CT findings. This study aimed to investigate whether the rPTS is correlated with CT scan results and can be used to decrease the use of CT.

Methodology

This retrospective chart review examined all patients who underwent a pan-CT for trauma in the Emergency Department of King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, from 2008 to 2012.

Results

We analyzed 235 patients. There was a significant difference in the mean rPTS between those with negative versus positive pan-CT scans (11.4 ± 1.3 vs. 10.9 ± 1.7, respectively; p = 0.032). Furthermore, the rate of positive CT scans was significantly higher in those with an rPTS <11 than those with an rPTS of 11 or 12 (87% vs. 74.1%, respectively; p = 0.044). However, 72.7% of patients with an rPTS of 12/12 had a positive pan-CT scan.

Conclusions

Despite the difference in the frequency of abnormal CT scans, too many patients with normal rPTS had abnormal CT findings. Therefore, the rPTS cannot be used to safely reduce the use of CT scans.