[Importance of computerized tomography for surgical treatment of intracranial hematomas (author's transl)].

The improved treatment by using computerized tomography (CT) located between operating theater and intensive care unit is reported in comparison of 3,382 patients with severe head injuries. By preoperative use of CT the frequency of diagnosed hematomas was about the same (29.5% before CT; 27.0% with CT) but the preoperative diagnosed multiple hematomas were much more frequent (14.0% resp. 27.0%). The most important advantage however is the saving of time by CT in this localisation by which the chance of survival has increased from 54% to 69%. Without any doubt everywhere in neurotraumatology the CT should be situated as near as possible to the intensive care unit and to the operating theater and should be available 24 hours a day.