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Several large trials have evaluated the effect of CT screening based on specific symptoms, with varying outcomes. Screening of patients with CT based on their prognosis alone has not been examined before. For moderate-to-high risk patients presenting in the emergency department (ED), the potential gain from a CT scan might outweigh the risk of radiation exposure. We hypothesized that an accelerated “multiple rule out” CT screening of moderate-to-high risk patients will detect many clinically unrecognized diagnoses that affect change in treatment. Patients ≥ 40 years, triaged as high-risk or moderate-to-high risk according to vital signs, were eligible for inclusion. Patients were scanned with a combined ECG-gated and dual energy CT scan of cerebrum, thorax, and abdomen. The impact of the CT scan on patient diagnosis and treatment was examined prospectively by an expert panel. A total of 100 patients were included in the study, (53% female, mean age 73 years [age range, 43–93]). The scan lead to change in treatment or additional examinations in 37 (37%) patients, of which 24 (24%) were diagnostically significant, change in acute treatment in 11 (11%) cases and previously unrecognized malignant tumors in 10 (10%) cases. The mean size specific radiation dose was 15.9 mSv (± 3.1 mSv). Screening with a multi-rule out CT scan of high-risk patients in an ED is feasible and result in discovery of clinically unrecognized diagnoses and malignant tumors, but at the cost of radiation exposure and downstream examinations. The clinical impact of these findings should be evaluated in a larger randomized cohort.

Tourniquets have been used for centuries. They have been called lifesavers and "an invention of the evil one". 90.9% of deaths on the battlefields result from haemorrhage. Lessons learned du­ring the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have developed the treat­ment given to hypovolaemic patients on the battlefield. Treating bleeding and hypovolaemia is now considered as the primary intervention. The tourniquet has proven to be an indis­pensable tool treating wounded soldiers, with little risk of complications. The tourniquet might also show to be a valuable asset in a pre-hospital urban setting.

To examine if there were circadian variations in surgeons' ability to diagnose acute appendicitis.Retrospective database study of all patients admitted to an acute surgical procedure under the potential diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a 4-year period. The day was divided into 2 time intervals, day to evening hours (08:00-23:59) and night hours (00:00-07:59). Relevant data regarding the admission and surgical procedures were categorized into these 2 time intervals.Department of Surgery at a Danish university hospital in Copenhagen.A total of 2366 patients were included. There were no age limitations or selection in sex.There was no significant difference in the ability to diagnose appendicitis in day-evening hours vs night hours (p = 0.391), nor was any significant difference found on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) vs weekends (Friday-Sunday) (p = 0.278). There were no differences in duration of the procedures, rate of conversion, or severity of postoperative surgical complications between the 2 groups. More patients underwent diagnostic imaging during day to evening hours compared with night hours (308 vs 46; p = 0.014). The use of imaging had no effect on the ability to diagnose appendicitis. Male sex showed a higher probability of the diagnosis being appendicitis compared with other or no pathology (odds ratio: 3.094; p0.001). Age between 40 and 80 years was significantly associated with a higher probability of the diagnosis being appendicitis compared with other or no pathology. The negative appendectomy rate was 10.5%.We found no difference in the surgeons' ability to diagnose acute appendicitis during night hours compared with day to evening hours.

Tourniquets have been used for centuries. They have been called lifesavers and "an invention of the evil one". 90.9% of deaths on the battlefields result from haemorrhage. Lessons learned du-ring the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have developed the treat-ment given to hypovolaemic patients on the battlefield. Treating bleeding and hypovolaemia is now considered as the primary intervention. The tourniquet has proven to be an indis-pensable tool treating wounded soldiers, with little risk of complications. The tourniquet might also show to be a valuable asset in a pre-hospital urban setting.

For a longer period the interest for surgical education in Denmark has been low measured in the number of junior doctors choosing a surgical career. The Danish Surgical Society has reviewed the published data describing the factors involved when selecting a surgical career.

A 34-year old woman was admitted with pain in the upper right abdomen. The tentative diagnosis was gall stones, but none of the paraclinical results supported this diagnosis. A chest x-ray showed a completely white right lung. A later computertomography showed a colon-loop in the thorax and haemo-/pneumothorax. The patient's condition deteriorated, a life-threatening state of sepsis developed and she was transferred to a surgery facility where an incarcerated congenital diaphragmatic hernia was established. After surgery she was discharged with a temporary ostomy, but otherwise feeling well.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cholecystectomy rate and rate of gallstone-related complications in patients formerly seen and discharged without operation from the Clinic for Day-Surgery, Glostrup University Hospital, Denmark.From January 2000 to December 2002 a total of 222 patients with gallstones were discharged without operation (lap. cholecystectomy) from the day-surgery clinic. All admittances and surgical procedures in the follow-up period were identified by reading patient files and strategic searches in the National Patient Register in which all operations in Denmark are registered.The median follow-up period was 37 months (range 5-62 months). 25% of patients were operated in the follow-up period (cholecystectomy, n = 54, gallstone ileus, n=1). 13% had gallstone-related complications in the follow-up period. 9 patients had one or more endoscopic retrograde cholangiographies. There was no mortality or serious surgical complications.There is a lack of objective criteria for cholecystectomy in symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. The national guidelines in Denmark advocate cholecystectomy only in patients with socially disabling pain attacks. These guidelines are followed in our department and the strategy seems acceptable and patient-friendly, although the optimal treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic gallstone disease is still unknown.