Multidetector Computed Tomography Applications of Chest Trauma in Our Radiology Unit and Patient Outcomes

Trauma is the leading cause of death in young people. Radiologic evaluation of chest injuries in patients begins usually with a simple chest X-ray at the admission time. Unfortunately, chest X-ray has limited sensitivity in detecting thoracic injuries. Many thoracic injuries such as contusions, diaphragmatic injuries, pneumothorax and hemothorax are missed on chest X-ray. Computerized Tomography (CT) scan is gaining more importance in the initial management of trauma patients. The aim of this study was to assess the routine chest CT outcomes in patients who admitted to our radiology department with chest trauma. The study was designed as a retrospective investigation. The study group consisted of patients with chest trauma admitted to the Department of Radiology of the Bilecik State Hospital, in the period from May 2015 to January 2016. 297 patients with chest trauma were enrolled in the study. We assessed injuries according to age,gender, accident type, distribution of injuries and made attention on preferring CT imaging in detecting thoracic injuries. MDCT has clearly established itself as the principal imaging method for the patient group with chest trauma, owing to its wide availability, rapid access, quick implementation and the possibility of generating multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions. The information provided by MDCT may lead to critical changes in patients' management.