Application of Brain Computerized Tomography to High Voltage Electrical Burns

Park, Keun Hong; Lim, Kwang Pil; Noh, Ki Cheul; Lee, Jun Hyung; Ahn, Hyo Yong; Kim, Hyun Chul; Pyo, Chang Hae

Abstract

PURPOSE: High voltage electrical injuries can cause many complications of central nervous system. We tried to define the indication range of brain CT (computerized tomography) in high voltage electrical injuries.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of 51 high voltage electrical injured patients who were confirmed by brain CT, they had visited our emergency department from January 2005 to December 2007. All patients were classified by brain CT findings, presences of combined injuries and neurologic symptoms.
RESULTS
48 patients were confirmed normal in brain CT findings. 3 patients had brain lesions that were associated with secondary trauma. There was no abnormal CT finding in the 23 patients who did not have loss of consciousness, falling and combined injuries.
CONCLUSION
If patient with electrical injury did not have neurologic symptoms or sufficient mechanical force, brain CT is not recommended. The results of this study may help emergency physicians to avoid unnecessary brain CT examination in the emergency triage to a high voltage electrical injury patients.