Investigating the accuracy of portable ultrasonography in diagnosis of traumatic thoracic lesions compared to CT scan

Abstract

Author(s): Ali Raee Ezzabad, Soheila Azimi, Azimeh Kadkhodazadegan Yazd, Naser Mohammad Karimi, Mehrnaz Nikouyeh and Mohammad Ali Jafari*

Background and Objective: This study investigated the accuracy of portable ultrasonography in the diagnosis of traumatic thoracic lesions (hemothorax, pneumothorax, contusions and fractures) compared to Computed Tomography scan (CT-scan).

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 patients with thoracic trauma to assess the diagnostic value of portable ultrasonography compared to CT scan. First, ultrasonography of the lungs and CT scan of the chest were performed. Then, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were investigated to examine the accuracy and precision of ultrasonography compared to CT scan.

Results: In this study, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of ultrasonography for detecting thoracic lesions and complications following trauma were 56.82%, 100.0%, 100%, and 91.52%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 92.37%.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggested that in the initial evaluation of patients with traumatic thoracic injuries, ultrasonography, in addition to being an accessible, simple, low-cost and feasible method for all patients, has a high diagnostic value, especially in diagnosing pneumothorax and sternum fracture.

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