- Konuralp Tıp Dergisi
- Vol: 15 Issue: 1
- Do We Need to Repeat the Initially Normal Head Computerized Tomography for Patients with Mild Head T...
Do We Need to Repeat the Initially Normal Head Computerized Tomography for Patients with Mild Head Trauma Using Anticoagulant and/or Antiplatelet Therapy?
Authors : Yaşar Çatal, Müge Günalp, Sinan Genç, Ahmet Burak Oğuz, Ayça Koca, Onur Polat
Pages : 122-129
Doi:10.18521/ktd.1167329
View : 9 | Download : 3
Publication Date : 2023-03-15
Article Type : Research
Abstract :Objective: Patients using anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet (AC/AP) medications are at an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) subsequent to head trauma and current guidelines recommend a head computed tomography (CT) scan for these patients. There is a lack of consensus about management recommendations for mild head trauma patients on AC/AP treatment who had an initially normal head CT. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of delayed ICH after a 24-hour observation in patients with mild head trauma using AC/AP who had an initially normal head CT. Method: Patients aged 18 and older, using AC/AP drugs with mild head trauma were included prospectively. Patients underwent head CT for suspected bleeding. A repeat CT scan was performed after a 24-hours observation period for the patients who had an initially normal head CT for detecting delayed intracranial hemorrhage. Result: A total of 101 patients were included and, 57.4% (n=58) of the patients were female. Delayed ICH was detected in 2.9% (n=3) of the patients after a 24-hour observation. None of the patients with delayed ICH needed surgical treatment or further intervention. Delayed ICH was found in patients who used acetylsalicylic acid (n=1), dabigatran (n=1), and apixaban (n=1). Conclusion: In patients with mild head trauma using AC/AP, delayed intracranial hemorrhage is rare and may be clinically insignificant. A repeat CT scanning after 24-hour observation may not be necessary for patients with mild head trauma using AC/AP therapy who had initially normal head CT.Keywords : Antikoagülan ilaçlar, antiplatelet ilaçlar, kafa travması, intrakraniyal kanama