CT CHEST/ABDOMEN/PELVIS TRAUMA PROTOCOL C+
(last updated 6/20/2016, last reviewed 02/02/2026)
INDICATION: Trauma
SERIES
- 3mm Axial Chest Soft Tissue
- 1mm Axial Lung
- 3mm Axial A/P
- 3mm Coronal chest only (Lung windows)
- 3mm Sagittal chest only (Lung windows)
- 3mm Coronal A/P only
- 3mm Sagittal A/P only
SINGLE COLLIMATION WIDTH: 0.625 mm
SLICE THICKNESS: 3 mm
KERNAL: std soft tissue
SFOV: large
COVERAGE: CHEST apices -> diaphragm
A/P diaphragm -> pubic symphysis / ischial tuberosities
ACQUISITION: craniocaudal
IV CONTRAST: yes
INJECTION RATE: 2 mL/sec
SCAN DELAY: CHEST ~15 to 30 sec, A/P ~30 to 35 sec after chest
IV CONTRAST DOSE: 75 to 100 mL
RESPIRATION: Inspiration
ORAL CONTRAST: Per department protocol (according to indication, exam order)
POSTPROCESSING: 3 mm coronal, 3 mm sagittal, coronal lung MIPs
NOTES:
Check to make sure that the spleen is homogeneously enhancing. If the spleen is not homogeneously enhancing and still has a heterogeneous “wavy” enhancement, please immediately repeat a scan thru the spleen and liver.
***For pediatric patients (<18 yo) follow ALARA principle and use pediatric specific technical parameters per respective CT scanner***