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New Orleans criteria for minor head injury
Determines whether head CT is needed after minor head injury with GCS 15.
New Orleans criteria for minor head injury
Headache
Vomiting
Age >60 years
Drug or alcohol intoxication
Persistent anterograde amnesia (short-term memory deficit)
Visible trauma above the clavicles
Seizure
ResultCT not required
No criteria present: CT can be safely deferred by these criteria.
- Criteria met
- 0 of 7
When to use
- Deciding on head CT in adults with minor head trauma and a GCS of 15 with a witnessed loss of consciousness.
Formula
CT indicated if ANY of: headache, vomiting, age >60, drug/alcohol intoxication, persistent anterograde amnesia, visible trauma above the clavicles, or seizure. Applies only when GCS is 15.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Highly sensitive but less specific than the Canadian CT Head Rule; validated only in patients with GCS 15 and loss of consciousness.