Abstract

Contents

• NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
• Glossary
• List of abbreviations
• Executive summary
• 1. Background
  • Description of health problem
  • Current service provision
• 2. Research questions
  • Rationale for the study
  • Overall aims and objectives of assessment
• 3. Assessment of diagnostic accuracy
  • Methods for reviewing diagnostic accuracy
  • Results of the review of diagnostic accuracy
• 4. Review of studies evaluating diagnostic management strategies
  • Methods for reviewing management practices
  • Results of the review of management practices
• 5. Assessment of cost-effectiveness evidence
  • Systematic review of existing cost-effectiveness evidence
  • Independent economic assessment
• 6. Survey of current NHS practice
  • Methods of the survey
  • Results of the survey
• 7. Discussion
  • Statement of principal findings
  • Strengths and limitations of the assessment
  • Uncertainties
  • Assessment of factors relevant to the NHS and other parties
• 8. Conclusions
  • Implications for service provision
  • Suggested research priorities
• Acknowledgements
• References
• Health Technology Assessment programme
• Appendix 1 Diagnostic accuracy and management strategies for minor head injury review: literature search strategies – a MEDLINE example
• Appendix 2 The modified QUADAS tool for the methodological assessment of diagnostic studies
• Appendix 3 Diagnostic accuracy review – PRISMA (adapted) flow chart
• Appendix 4 Diagnostic accuracy review – table of excluded studies with rationale
• Appendix 5 Individual clinical characteristics in adults – data for meta-analysis
• Appendix 6 Individual clinical characteristics in children and infants – data for meta-analysis
• Appendix 7 Management practices review – PRISMA (adapted) flow chart
• Appendix 8 Management practices review – table of excluded studies with rationale
• Appendix 9 Cost-effectiveness review: literature search strategies – a MEDLINE example
• Appendix 10 Cost-effectiveness review – PRISMA (adapted) flow chart
• Appendix 11 Cost-effectiveness review – table of excluded studies with rationale
• Appendix 12 Questionnaire survey (adults) sent to lead clinician
• Appendix 13 Protocol

Suggested citation:

Pandor A, Goodacre S, Harnan S, Holmes M, Pickering A, Fitzgerald P, et al. Diagnostic management strategies for adults and children with minor head injury: a systematic review and an economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2011;15(27).

Declared competing interests of authors: none

The research reported in this issue of the journal was commissioned by the HTA programme as project number 07/37/08. The contractual start date was in February 2009. The draft report began editorial review in June 2010 and was accepted for publication in October 2010. As the funder, by devising a commissioning brief, the HTA programme specified the research question and study design. The authors have been wholly responsible for all data collection, analysis and interpretation, and for writing up their work. The HTA editors and publisher have tried to ensure the accuracy of the authors' report and would like to thank the referees for their constructive comments on the draft document. However, they do not accept liability for damages or losses arising from material published in this report.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the HTA programme or the Department of Health.