Are routine repeat chest x-rays before leaving the trauma room useful?

Autor: Lemmers M, Saltzherr TP, Beenen LFM, Ponsen KJ, Goslings JC, Lemmers, M, Saltzherr, T P, Beenen, L F M, Ponsen, K J, Goslings, J C
Zdroj: Emergency Medicine Journal (EMJ); Jul2010, Vol. 27 Issue 7, p522-525, 4p
Abstrakt: Background: Several guidelines advocate multiple chest x-rays during primary resuscitation of trauma patients. Some local hospital protocols include a repeat x-ray before leaving the trauma resuscitation room (TR). The purpose of this study was to determine the value of routine repeat x-rays. Methods: One-year data of all radiological imaging in the TR were prospectively collected for all patients presenting to the TR of the hospital. The x-rays were counted and assessed and the findings were classified as either 'new injury detected', 'presence of intervention devices' or 'deterioration of previously detected injury'. Results: A total of 674 patients were included. More than 75% had two x-rays. Eight (2.1%) new injuries without clinical relevance were found on the repeat x-ray after an initial normal x-ray. 61 patients (9%) had a repeat x-ray to verify the effect of an intervention or position of devices. In 28 patients (22%) with two abnormal x-rays, newly diagnosed injuries (n=9) or deterioration of known injuries (n=19) were found. In 411 patients (81%) the results of the repeat x-ray had no clinical consequences. Conclusion: This study indicates that routine repeat chest x-rays can be omitted in trauma patients whose initial chest x-ray is normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index