What is the Canadian CT head rule for head injuries?
The Canadian CT head rule (CCTHR) is a validated clinical decision rule to determine the need for CT head in adult emergency department patients with minor head injuries. Inclusion criteria. Patient has suffered minor head trauma with resultant: loss of consciousness. GCS 13-15. confusion. amnesia after the event.
What are the exclusions from the CT head rule?
Exclusions to the rule include neurological deficits, bleeding disorders or oral anticoagulants, pregnancy, obvious open skull fractures, seizures or unstable major trauma patients. A comparison between the New Orleans Criteria and the Canadian CT Head Rule was performed in 2005.
When should a CT head be obtained?
If any of the above risk factors are identified then a CT head should be obtained. Several studies have found the CCTHR to be highly sensitive in identifying injuries requiring neurosurgical intervention (80-100%) 1-5, with varying degrees of specificity (49.6-80.7%) 1-5. 1.