ProtocolPulse

CT MSK

CT
NICE NG382016NICE NG392016v2.0 · March 2026
Varies
EDOutpatient
All imaging requests must be justified by an IR(ME)R practitioner (radiologist or radiographer)
Open in NICE

Complex fractures — ED

— ANY of the following

  • Suspected high-energy pelvic fractures
  • Acetabular fractures with 2D/3D reconstruction
  • Tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker classification)
  • Calcaneal fractures (Sanders classification)
  • Complex intra-articular fractures

Polytrauma (NG39)

— ANY of the following

  • Adults with suspected multi-regional traumaNICE NG39 Rec 1.5.34
  • Do NOT routinely use whole-body CT for children <16NICE NG39 Rec 1.4.7

Notes

Information

CT with 2D/3D reconstruction for complex fractures

Warning

Do NOT routinely use whole-body CT for children <16

Radiation Dose

CT pelvis ~6–8 mSv. CT extremity ~0.5–2 mSv.

Paediatric

Whole-body CT NOT routinely indicated for children <16 with major trauma (NG39 Rec 1.4.7)

Change Log

v2.02026-03-08New protocol — CT MSK for complex fractures and polytrauma

Not clinical advice. This protocol is a reference tool only. All imaging justifications remain the clinical and legal responsibility of the authorising practitioner under IR(ME)R 2017 (as amended 2024). Protocol content should be verified against current NICE, RCR, and specialty guidelines before use in practice.

AI-assisted content. Clinical criteria were developed with AI assistance and cross-referenced against cited source guidelines. Verify against original sources. Guidelines referenced are current at the stated version date and may have been updated since.