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01-08-2018 | Original Article

Clinical impact of computed tomography in the emergency department in nontraumatic chest and abdominal conditions

Authors: Lorenzo Carlo Pescatori, Matteo Brambati, Carmelo Messina, Giovanni Mauri, Giovanni Di Leo, Enzo Silvestri, Francesco Sardanelli, Luca Maria Sconfienza

Published in: Emergency Radiology | Issue 4/2018

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the clinical impact of CT scan in modifying the clinical management in patients referred to the emergency department.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 300 patients (177 males, 63 ± 18 years old) admitted in the emergency department (ED) of a single institution, who underwent a CT examination for thoracic and/or abdominal complains. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Hypothesized outcome prior to CT scan and final management (i.e., discharge, short observation in the ED, hospitalization, and department of admission) were compared.

Results

After CT examination, a major variation in diagnosis occurred in 37% of cases and clinical management changed in 43%, occurring in 51% of patients who underwent abdominal CT, in 40% of chest CT, and in 29% of chest/abdominal CT (P = 0.015). Department of hospitalization changed in 26% of cases (P < 0.001). Clinical impact of CT scan was significantly associated (P = 0.001) with the color code at admission. In particular, the more severe was the clinical condition, the lower was the variation of management after CT examination.

Conclusions

This work confirms the crucial role of CT examination in the management of nontraumatic patients admitted to the ED, both in terms of better clarifying the diagnosis and in influencing the clinical management.

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Title: Clinical impact of computed tomography in the emergency department in nontraumatic chest and abdominal conditions
Authors: Lorenzo Carlo Pescatori
Matteo Brambati
Carmelo Messina
Giovanni Mauri
Giovanni Di Leo
Enzo Silvestri
Francesco Sardanelli
Luca Maria Sconfienza
Publication date: 01-08-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Emergency Radiology / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 1070-3004
Electronic ISSN: 1438-1435
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-018-1592-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Clinical impact of computed tomography in the emergency department in nontraumatic chest and abdominal conditions

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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