To Scan, or Not to Scan: CT Imaging for MSK Injuries in the Emergency Department

The wide-spread adoption and application of computed tomography (CT) in the emergency department has significantly increased in the past several decades. Specifically, utilization increased by about 60% between 2005 and 2013. While MRI remains the gold-standard imaging study for many musculoskeletal complaints, there are certain indications for sending patients to the “donut of truth.” In this talk, I’ll address the large (and often conflicting) body of literature for detection of occult hip fractures. I’ll review the latest research supporting CT for traumatic arthrotomy (no more saline load testing!). Finally, I’ll discuss indications to obtain CT imaging for pre-operative planning, so you can shine in front of your orthopedic colleagues (and do what’s right for your patient).