A 22 year-old patient was involved in an automobile accident and is comatose. Which of the following diagnostic modalities would be least useful in this patient's evaluation?
A CT scan
B skull radiographs
C MRI scan
D EEG
E PET scan
Answer: B
Of these choices, the skull film is LEAST useful. Whether or not the skull is fractured, any LOC in a head trauma requires imaging for bleeding. CT would be the imaging test of choice. MRI should be done for a more chronic bleed. EEG would help to establish brain activity. PET scan (while not done often) would establish physiologic function (uptake of glucose). A positive or negative plain film of the skull would supply NO FURTHER INFORMATION.
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