Computed Tomography (CT) of Blunt Abdominal Trauma:The Frequency of Incidental Findings, how it was Documented in Radiology Report and the Implication of These Findings to Acute Trauma Care
- Author:
Radhiana Hassan
;
, Siti Kamariah Che Mohamed
;
Mohd Nazli Kamarulzaman
- Publication Type:Letter
- Keywords:
Incidental finding;
computed tomography;
radiology report;
blunt
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2014;69(1):46-48
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The wide use of computed tomography (CT) scanning for
patients with blunt abdominal trauma can reveal incidental
findings that vary in their importance. We evaluated these
findings, how it was reported by radiologists and its
implication on the trauma care. In 30 out of 154 patients, 32
incidental findings were discovered (19.5%). Out of these 32
findings, only 3 cases (9.4%) were considered significant
and required immediate attention from the managing team.
In all these 3 cases, the findings were described in the body
of the report and highlighted in the conclusion section at the
end of the radiology report. However, similar reporting style
was used in only 58.4% of cases with moderate clinical
concern and 23.5% of cases with little clinical concern. In
41.2% of cases with little concern, the incidental findings
were not mentioned in the radiology report. In conclusion,
incidental findings in CT scan performed for blunt
abdominal trauma were common but many were clinically
insignificant. There is little consistency in radiology
reporting of these findings especially those with moderate
and little clinical concern.
- Full text:P020150724599726314148.pdf
