Making the transition: The role of helical CT in the evaluation of potentially acute thoracic aortic injuries

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to show that helical CT could be u sed at our center in lieu of routine aortography to examine patients who ha ve had serious blunt chest trauma. We also wanted to assess the potential s avings of using CT to avoid unnecessary aortography. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The institutional review board approved dr paralleli ng-CT immediately followed by aortography -of patients presenting with blun t 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 unawar e 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 p rofessional fees for both transcatheter aortography and helical CT were als o compared. RESULTS. Our combined kappa value for all CT interpretations was 0.714. The aortographic sensitivity and negative predictive value were both 100%. Lik ewise, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of CT were 100%. The t otal costs of performing aortography were estimated at approximately $402,9 00, whereas those for performing helical CT were estimated at $202,800. CONCLUSION. Helical CT has a sensifivity and negative predictive value equi valent to that of aortography, Using CT to eliminate the possibility of med iastinal hematoma and to evaluate the cause of an abnormal aortic contour i n a trauma patient allows us to use aortography more selectively, Avoiding the performance of unnecessary aortography will expedite patient care and r educe costs. U:ct report the results of our experience with CT and how our center successfully made this transition in the initial examination of pati ents with serious thoracic trauma.