The aim of this study was to standardize the spiral CT examination protocol for initial radiological examination of polytraumatised patients in order to achieve the most accurate diagnostic informa- tion as fast as possible. The precondition for this examination is circulatory stability. In instable patients the situation must be solved surgically without this examination. During 5 months 35 patients were examined according to a standardised CT protocol. The mean examination time was ca. 12 min. (range 8 - 15 min.). After native head examination, the examination of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis was performed with administration of intravenous contrast medium (occasionally modified). All data in the medical report were completed and the outcome of the CT examination was compared with the final diagnosis. In total, 14 head injuries, 23 thoracic injuries, 17 abdominal and 20 pelvic injuries were examined, and 7 spinal fractures and 5 fractures of the extremities were found. The spiral CT examination in comparison with sequential CT examination is markedly more efficient and its diagnostic information is better. For these reasons the authors recommend this examination as the method of choice for initial radiological examination in polytraumatised patients.

        Key words: polytrauma - CT examination - CT diagnosis - CT protocol