Suboptimal CT imaging leads to increased mortality in older trauma patients

A secondary analysis of 5,496 older blunt trauma patients revealed that 8.6% experienced suboptimal computed tomography (CT) imaging. Most missed injuries were identified in the thoracic and lumbar spine regions. Patients with suboptimal imaging had a significantly higher mortality rate and longer hospital stays. Factors contributing to these missed injuries included imaging conducted before transfer and failure to activate full or limited trauma protocols. The study underscores vulnerabilities in imaging protocols for older populations.