Near-infrared laser spectroscopy as a screening tool for detecting hematoma in patients with head trauma.

Introduction: Among imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT) is a reliable method for detecting intracranial hematomas in patients with head trauma, but it is not generally available in special circumstances like prehospital situations and harsh conditions such as those following an earthquake.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine if near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is useful for performing CT scans on patients with closed head trauma that present to medical centers that do not have the ability to perform a CT scan or in prehospital or harsh situations. Near-infrared spectroscopy and CT scan were compared according to sensitivity and specificity.