CT-SCAN IN MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: ARE WE OVER-IMAGING: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AT A HOSPITAL IN ACEH

Abstract

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) constitute most traumatic brain injury cases. Although mTBI are typically not life-threatening, they can result in a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that may persist for days, weeks, or even months. A CT scan is deemed necessary for patients with mTBI if clinical conditions worsen, there is suspicion of a fracture, or there are signs of lateralization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the need for CT scan in patients with mTBI at a hospital in Aceh Province. This research is a descriptive study with a retrospective design. The study included 143 respondents. Data collection was conducted by reviewing the medical records of patients with mTBI using a checklist form that included demographic and clinical data. The data analysis used was univariate analysis, which produces distributions, frequencies, and percentages. The results of the study show that 84 respondents (58.7%) had no abnormalities, 13 respondents (9.1%) showed multiple lesion images, 12 respondents (8.4%) had scalp hematoma images, 9 respondents (6.3%) had EDH images, 7 respondents (4.9%) had SDH images, 7 respondents (4.9%) had SAH images, 7 respondents (4.9%) had ICH images, and 4 respondents (2.8%) had skull fracture images. The majority of CT scan findings in patients with mTBI at dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital in Banda Aceh were normal or negative (58.7%). The screening process for patients with mTBI must be conducted accurately and promptly according to indication criteria, thereby reducing unnecessary CT scan.