Comparison of near-infrared spectroscopy (infrascanner) and head computerized tomography interpretations of the patients with minor head injury in the ed

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to compare near infrared spectroscopy device and brain computed tomography results in detection of intracranial hemorrhages of patients admitted to Dokuz Eylül University Hospital Emergency Department with minor head trauma and obtained computed tomography scans.METHODIn our prospective and descriptive study, sociodemographic and clinical features, brain computed tomography and near infrared spectroscopy device data of patients diagnosed minor head trauma in the emergency department within a time frame of 3 months were compared. All data were collected on standard information forms prepared for this study and then transfered to a computer database.RESULTS3558 trauma patiens were admitted to the emergency department during the study, among these patiens 546 (2,6%) were diagnosed with minor head trauma and 151 of these patiens qualified the criteria to be included in the study. 143 of these patiens (94,7%)had no loss of consciousness and 132 (87,4%) had no amnesia. GCS of 148 patiens(98%) were 15. The most common cause of trauma was falling on the same level (n=68,45%). The most common hair color of the patiens was black(n=57,%37,7). 148 of the patiens (98%) had no motor/sensory function loss. Additional trauma was observed in 26 patiens (17,3%) and the most common additional trauma area was extremities. Seven patients(4,6%) were diagnosed to have intracranial hemorrhage with brain computed tomography. Near infrared spectroscopy device was able to diagnose 6 of these patiens and could not identify hemorrhage in 1 patient. When compared with brain computed tomography, near infrared spectroscopy device data is 85,7% sensitive, 66,6% specific and negative predictive value is 98.9% and positive predictive value is 11,1%. There was a statistically significant difference for rates to diagnose of pathology between near infrared spectroscopy device data and official radiologist decision of brain computed tomography results (p<0,001). Near infrared spectroscopy device gave a false positive result in 48 cases. There was no statistically significant relationship between patient hair colors and near infrared spectroscopy device results (p>0,05). No concordance was found between near infrared spectroscopy results and inpatient outcome (p=0,905).DISCUSSIONIn our study no evidence was found to recommend near infrared spectroscopy device instead of brain computed tomography to diagnose intracranial hemorrhage. Nevertheless we think that near infrared spectroscopy device can be used in the emergency department for early assessment of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with minor head trauma. Near infrared spectroscopy device was insufficient to determine inpatient outcome.KEY WORDS; Minor Head Injury, Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Emergency Department