Original ContributionComparison of near-infrared spectroscopy and head CT interpretations of the ED patients with minor head injury

This study compares near-infrared spectroscopy device and brain computed tomography results in detection of intracranial hemorrhages of patients in an emergency department with minor head trauma and whose computed tomography scans were obtained. In our prospective and cross-sectional study, sociodemographic and clinical features, and brain computed tomography and near-infrared spectroscopy device data of patients diagnosed with minor head trauma were compared. Among 546 trauma patients diagnosed with minor head trauma, 151 of them met the criteria for inclusion in the study. When compared with brain computed tomography, near-infrared spectroscopy device data are 85.7% sensitive, are 66.6% specific, and have a negative predictive value of 98.9% and a positive predictive value of 11.1%. There was a statistically significant difference in rates of diagnosis of pathology between near-infrared spectroscopy device data and official radiologist decision of brain computed tomography results In our study, although we could not reach evidence showing that Infrascanner could be used as an alternative to cerebral computed tomography in intracranial hemorrhages, it is a valuable screening tool in some cases such as bedside monitoring, mass casualty events, remote areas, ambulance services, and others.