Computer Tomography (CT) Trial of Acute Abdomen (PRACTA)

Kuopio University Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Acute Abdomen

Treatments: Procedure: Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scanning

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00870766

KUH5200617

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of routinely performed early CT scanning in terms of diagnostic accuracy, patient management and cost-effectiveness compared to current imaging practice in patients suffering from acute abdomen.

Enrollment: 250 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age > 18
• abdominal pain > 2h and < 7 days

Exclusion criteria

• pregnancy
• acute abdominal trauma
• allergy to iodinated contrast media
• severe renal insufficiency
• metformin medication combined with elevated plasma creatinin level
• lack of cooperation (if informed consent is not possible)
• abdominal pain combined with bleeding shock

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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250 participants in 2 patient groups

CT

Active Comparator group

Description:

All patients in the CT arm undergo abdominal CT scanning within 24 hours of admission to the ER.

Treatment:

Procedure: Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scanning

Current practice

No Intervention group

Description:

The patients in the current practice arm are referred to radiological examinations, such as US, plain radiography or CT, based on the clinical need only.