HEADACHE AND COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY: CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS (ABSTRACT)* * Cefaléia e tomografia computadorizada: aspectos clínicos e econômicos (Resumo). Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade Federal Fluminense (área: Neurologia). Orientador: Pedro Ferreira Moreira Filho. . DISSERTATION. NITERÓI, 2001.
PAULO ROBERTO ALVES ROSA** * Cefaléia e tomografia computadorizada: aspectos clínicos e econômicos (Resumo). Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade Federal Fluminense (área: Neurologia). Orientador: Pedro Ferreira Moreira Filho.
One hundred and fifty patients were submitted to a questionaire in two radiology clinics, all of them had a cranial computed tomography scan (CCT) indicated by physicians among various medical specialities (neurologists, neurosurgeons, generalists, etc.).
The points analised were: sex, age, if patients had headache or not and its intensity, phisician speciality, use of endovenous contrast, abnormalities in reports, costs of investigation and some cross-match data.
The normal CCT ratio was 76.7% versus 23.3% of abnormal ones; only in 3.3% it was imperious. Neurologists requests were 55.5% among specialists; however, most of abnormal were found in those which were asked by generalists. Costs for abnormal diagnosis were in the ratio of R$ 6.130,00.
We observed a high cost versus a low objectivity in findings of CCT in patients with headache, we suggest a better clinical evaluation, medical-patient relationship, inclusion of headache specialists in public medical institutions and private medical security in order to reduce this demand.
KEY WORDS: headache, computerized tomography(CT), costs, economy.
**R. General Osório 4 / 203, 28625-630 Nova Friburgo RJ, Brasil. E-mail: prarosa@netflash.com.br
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
05 Oct 2001 -
Date of issue
Sept 2001