Utility of computed tomography brain scans in intubated patients with overdose

Abstract

ObjectiveDescribe the yield of computed tomography brain (CTB) scans in patients intubated for drug overdose.MethodsRetrospective descriptive study using existing registry data from two Australian EDs between February 2021 and June 2022.ResultsTwo hundred and six patients were intubated; 159 (77%) received a post‐intubation CTB scan. Of these, 38 out of 159 (24%) had a documented indication (i.e. head injury and seizure) for their scans, with a yield of 5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5–17%). Of the 121 out of 159 (76%) patients without an indication, the yield of CTB was 0% (95% CI = 0–3%).ConclusionsRoutine imaging of patients intubated for overdose without clinical indication is unjustified.