Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG37/02

Question

Cystourethrogram: How accurate is the first CT scan with contrast (trauma scan) for detecting bladder injuries in people with suspected bladder injuries after a traumatic incident?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Bladder injuries usually occur in people with high‑energy pelvic fractures after a traumatic incident. Currently people with suspected bladder injuries have a CT scan with intravenous contrast (a trauma scan) to diagnose non‑bladder injuries. People who do not have injuries needing urgent treatment may then either be given another CT scan or a fluoroscopic cystogram to check for bladder injury. People with injuries needing urgent treatment (for example, bleeding or a neurological injury) are taken to the resuscitation room after the initial CT scan (trauma scan). Once the person's condition is stabilised they are taken to either the CT or fluoroscopy suite for a retrograde cystogram to check for bladder injury. The guideline committee agreed that these strategies are accurate for the diagnosis of bladder injuries, but felt that there were advantages to a strategy that did not involve a second set of images. The guideline committee was interested in whether the first CT scan with intravenous contrast (trauma scan) could accurately diagnose bladder injuries.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Fractures (complex): assessment and management

Number

NG37

Date issued

February 2016

Other details