Making the Transition: The Role of Helical CT in the Evaluation of Potentially Acute Thoracic Aortic Injuries

• Published in: American journal of roentgenology (1976) Vol. 176; no. 5; pp. 1267 - 1272
• Main Authors: Parker, Mark S, Matheson, Tracy L, Rao, Ashutosh V, Sherbourne, Caroline D, Jordan, Kirk G, Landay, Michael J, Miller, George L, Summa, James A
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Leesburg, VA Am Roentgen Ray Soc 01.05.2001; American Roentgen Ray Society
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aorta, Thoracic - diagnostic imaging; Aorta, Thoracic - injuries; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Costs and Cost Analysis; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Observer Variation; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - economics; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Vascular injuries: limbs, aorta, vena cava; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - diagnostic imaging; Human; Evaluation; Radiodiagnosis; Radiologic sign; Indication; Acute; Cardiovascular disease; Spiral; Trauma; Vascular disease; Thoracic aorta; Sensitivity; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography; Diagnosis; Technique; Aortic disease; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0361-803X; 1546-3141
• DOI: 10.2214/ajr.176.5.1761267

The purpose of this study was to show that helical CT could be used at our center in lieu of routine aortography to examine patients who have had serious blunt chest trauma. We also wanted to assess the potential savings of using CT to avoid unnecessary aortography. The institutional review board approved the parallel imaging-CT immediately followed by aortography-of patients presenting with blunt chest trauma between August 1997 and August 1998. To screen patients for potential aortic injuries, we performed parallel imaging on 142 patients, and these patients comprised our patient population. CT examinations of the patients were reviewed for signs of injury by radiologists who were unaware of each other's interpretations and the aortographic results. Findings of CT examinations were classified as negative, positive, or inconclusive for injury. Aortography was performed immediately after CT. The technical and professional fees for both transcatheter aortography and helical CT were also compared. Our combined kappa value for all CT interpretations was 0.714. The aortographic sensitivity and negative predictive value were both 100%. Likewise, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of CT were 100%. The total costs of performing aortography were estimated at approximately $402,900, whereas those for performing helical CT were estimated at $202,800. Helical CT has a sensitivity and negative predictive value equivalent to that of aortography. Using CT to eliminate the possibility of mediastinal hematoma and to evaluate the cause of an abnormal aortic contour in a trauma patient allows us to use aortography more selectively. Avoiding the performance of unnecessary aortography will expedite patient care and reduce costs. We report the results of our experience with CT and how our center successfully made this transition in the initial examination of patients with serious thoracic trauma.