Biomarker Role in Assessing Imaging Needs for Mild Cranial Trauma

Overview

This study aims to determine whether a blood test can help doctors decide when to use a head CT scan for patients with a mild head injury. Researchers are investigating whether the results from this blood test can aid in making better decisions about patient care and potentially reduce the need for imaging. In this study, researchers will collect blood samples to assess whether this specific blood test can help doctors decide when head imaging is necessary following a head injury. The goal is to determine whether the use of this test can reduce the number of head imaging procedures performed in the emergency department (ED).

The Biomarker Role in Assessing Imaging Needs for Mild Cranial Trauma (BRAIN-CT) study aims to determine whether immediate access to blood biomarker data can help doctors decide when a CT scan is necessary for patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The study will also explore how biomarker data influences clinical outcomes, such as hospital stay duration, costs, and recovery. Additionally, it will identify specific patient groups where biomarker results may alter imaging decisions, assess the ability of biomarkers to predict worsening symptoms and develop predictive models to improve the accuracy of these tests compared to CT scans. The study will enroll adults presenting with suspected mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the emergency department at Grady Memorial Hospital. Minors, pregnant individuals, wards of the state, prisoners, and those with cognitive impairments will not be enrolled. Participants will undergo blood-based biomarker testing upon ED presentation. Healthcare providers will be randomly assigned to either be blinded to the biomarker results or receive the results to guide their decision on ordering head CT imaging.