Pan-scan
Formal Definition
A comprehensive CT imaging series typically including CT head, cervical spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis with contrast — performed to rapidly identify occult injuries or pathology in high-acuity undifferentiated patients.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Pan-scan the patient" — typically in trauma or when clinical picture is unclear and rapid whole-body assessment is needed.
Example
""Polytrauma from a 20-foot fall — pan-scan revealed occult splenic laceration, L2 burst fracture, and bilateral rib fractures not apparent on physical exam.""
Clinical Context
Pan-scanning is powerful in trauma and sepsis with unclear source, but carries radiation exposure and IV contrast risks. It is not a substitute for clinical reasoning — it's a tool when clinical exam is insufficient (altered, intubated, or multi-mechanism trauma). Some centers limit pan-scanning to specific criteria to reduce unnecessary radiation.