Background: We hypothesize that in pediatric trauma patients, CT scans after normal chest x-rays do not add information that alters clinical decision making.
Methods: A retrospective review of trauma patients < 15 years with chest imaging evaluated at a pediatric trauma center between 1/2013 and 6/2019 was performed. Imaging was reviewed for significant findings that could affect care. A guideline was established in January 2017 which emphasized x-rays prior to CTs and no CTs after normal x-rays. A prospective review was performed from 1/2017-6/2019. Pre and post guideline groups were compared.
Results: From 2013 to 2016, 246 patients met inclusion. 29.5% had a chest CT after a normal x-ray, only 1.8% (1/57) had a significant result. From 2017 to 2019, 188 patients were reviewed post guideline; only 9.4% received a CT after normal x-ray, of which 6.3% (1/16) were significant. Neither changed clinical management.
Conclusions: Chest CT following normal chest x-ray does not change clinical management in pediatric trauma patients. Monitoring and education following guideline implementation improves long term outcomes.
Keywords: Chest CT; Chest x-ray; Pediatric chest trauma; Quality improvement; Radiation reduction.
Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.