Comparative analysis of conventional X-ray chest Vs. NCCT chest in patients of blunt trauma chest: An observational study

Abstract

Background: Chest X-Ray (CXR) is routinely used as the primary diagnostic technique in chest trauma but some possibly life-threatening injuries are repeatedly missed on CXR. Non contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scan is a superior diagnostic device in blunt trauma chest. Aim: To compare efficacy of the x-ray versus NCCT chest in diagnosis of blunt trauma chest. Methodology: The present cross sectional study was performed in the admitted patients in causality in Surgery Department of Hind Medical College, Safedabad, Barabanki (U.P). The patients who were treated in level 1 trauma centre for blunt chest trauma and received both Chest X-ray and CT chest scan during study period 2020 - 2021. Identification of the patients was done from the hospital’s registry. Results: while 39 (24.38%) patients were undetected on chest X-ray chest. However, the fractures could not be detected in only 2 (1.25%) patients on NCCT scan chest. Statistically significant variance was found in circumstances of sternum fracture, rib fracture, scapula fracture, lung contusion and pneumothorax. The sensitivity of CXR for sternum fracture, rib fracture, lung contusion and pneumothorax were 100.00% and other injuries like clavicle fracture, scapula fracture, diaphragmatic rupture, and hemothorax were 88.89%, 87.50%, 66.67% and 90.91%%, respectively.