Article

Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of
body computed tomography (CT) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with sepsis.
SETTING: Specialist acute care and rehabilitation SCI centre in United Kingdom.
METHODS: Patients with SCI and suspected or known sepsis, who had CT of the
chest, abdomen and pelvis, over a 4-year period, were identified. Only patients
who fulfilled the definition of sepsis or severe sepsis were included. Their
medical notes and CT scans were reviewed and clinical outcomes and radiological
findings recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with sepsis were identified
including seven categorised as having severe sepsis. A specific radiological
diagnosis was found in three patients (14%) and non-specific findings were found
in 15 patients (68%). CONCLUSION: Although in the majority of cases, the findings
were non-specific, a small number of patients had significant pathology
identified by CT, which influenced their management significantly.

Langue : ANGLAIS