Mild Traumatic Brain Injury — ABEM Board MCQ

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ModerateEmergency MedicineMild Traumatic Brain InjuryABEM Board

An adult with minor head injury (GCS 15) and brief loss of consciousness presents to the ED. He is not anticoagulated. Which evidence-based tool is recommended to reduce unnecessary CT scans while maintaining safety?

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Correct answer: B — Canadian CT Head Rule

Explanation lettering: D = shown as B · E = shown as D · B = shown as E

For adults with minor head injury, the Canadian CT Head Rule is recommended to guide imaging decisions. The New Orleans and NEXUS-II tools (A,B) have lower specificity. PECARN (C) is pediatric. Alvarado (E) is for appendicitis, not head injury.

Reference: ACEP Clinical Policy (2023): Adult Mild Traumatic Brain Injury