The value of routine chest roentgenograms on admission for rehabilitation after traumatic spinal cord injury. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The value of routine chest roentgenograms has come under increasing scrutiny in the medical literature. In this retrospective study we investigated the value of routine chest radiographs obtained on admission to a rehabilitation unit after an acute spinal cord injury. The charts of all patients admitted for rehabilitation after a traumatic spinal cord injury during a 1-year period were reviewed and 79 patients fulfilled criteria for inclusion into the study. Of the 79 patients, 12 had findings on routine admission films, 9 of which were felt to be significant (11.4%). All 9 patients with abnormal admission films had experienced cardiopulmonary complications during their acute hospitalization (P < 0.001). Fourteen patients with normal chest roentgenograms on admission had repeat films performed during their rehabilitation stay, 4 of which were abnormal. All 4 had experienced cardiopulmonary complications during their acute hospitalizations (P < 0.01). Our findings would support the selective use of admission chest roentgenograms in spinal cord-injured patients with clinical indications or a history of cardiopulmonary complications during their acute care stay.

publication date

  • April 1, 1994

Research

keywords

  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Spinal Cord Injuries

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0028213171

PubMed ID

  • 8148108

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 73

issue

  • 2