Introduction: The purpose of our study was to compare Total-Body Computed Tomography (TBCT) with selective scanning in adults with poly-trauma and assess outcomes as a function of scan time, cost, radiation exposure and length of hospital stay. Methodology: A retrospective analysis was performed with data derived from the trauma registry of the Emergency department of a Quaternary care hospital. Admissions from January, 2017 to December, 2017 were considered. Patients were selected based on their Injury Severity Score (ISS). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done using this data. Results: Outcomes were independent of gender and age distribution. Most patients belonged to the Young Adult (18–35 years) age group. The average time for scanning was 43.88m. Radiation Exposure was found to be increased after TBCT imaging compared with selective imaging. Scan-time and cost of investigation were less for the TBCT group. In the case of the selective scanning group, cost increased as re-imaging and further extended imaging was used. LOS was less for the TBCT imaging group. Subsequent re-visits post hospitalization were more in the case of the selective imaging group. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that application of Total Body CT significantly reduces overall time spent in the emergency department, with higher exposure to radiation, but with an overall benefit in terms of lower cost.

Keywords: Total Body CT; Whole Body CT; Pan scan; Poly-trauma; Time; Cost; Radiation