THE VALUE OF ROUTINE CHEST ROENTGENOGRAMS ON ADMISSION FOR REHABILITATION AFTER TRAUMATIC SPINAL-CORD INJURY

The value of routine chest roentgenograms has come under increasing sc rutiny in the medical literature. In this retrospective study we inves tigated the value of routine chest radiographs obtained on admission t o a rehabilitation unit after an acute spinal cord injury. The charts of all patients admitted for rehabilitation after a traumatic spinal c ord injury during a 1-year period were reviewed and 79 patients fulfil led criteria for inclusion into the study. Of the 79 patients, 12 had findings on routine admission films, 9 of which were felt to be signif icant (11.4%). All 9 patients with abnormal admission films had experi enced cardiopulmonary complications during their acute hospitalization (P < 0.001). Fourteen patients with normal chest roentgenograms on ad mission had repeat films performed during their rehabilitation stay, 4 of which were abnormal. All 4 had experienced cardiopulmonary complic ations during their acute hospitalizations (P < 0.01). Our findings wo uld support the selective use of admission chest roentgenograms in spi nal cord-injured patients with clinical indications or a history of ca rdiopulmonary complications during their acute care stay.