Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · Aug 2011
Review Meta AnalysisDiagnostic management strategies for adults and children with minor head injury: a systematic review and an economic evaluation.
Patients with minor head injury [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 13-15] have a small but important risk of intracranial injury (ICI) that requires early identification and neurosurgical treatment. Diagnostic assessment can use either a clinical decision rule or unstructured assessment of individual clinical features to identify those who are at risk of ICI and in need of computerised tomography (CT) scanning and/or hospital admission. Selective use of CT investigations helps minimise unnecessary radiation exposure and resource use, but can lead to missed opportunities to provide early treatment for ICI. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.