Radiation dose from initial trauma assessment and resuscitation: review of the literature

Initial assessment and resuscitation in trauma addresses immediate life-threatening injury. The principles are well described in the Advanced Trauma Life Support manual (ATLS).1 Adjuncts to the initial evaluation are frequent careful clinical examination, ultrasound and diagnostic peritoneal lavage. With advances in imaging technology, computed tomography (CT) and occasionally fluoroscopy are now used to evaluate those areas that are not readily amenable to accurate clinical examination or plain radiography. Widespread application of imaging technology requires knowledge of levels of radiation exposure to patients and trauma team members. Understanding the potential risks of this exposure is essential. The objective of our study was to describe radiation exposure for patients and trauma team members and to examine the potential risk of medical imaging radiation exposure. Our intention was to bring awareness of this issue to all health care workers, especially the members of the trauma team.