title: The value of SPECT-thallium scanning in screening for myocardial contusion.
abstract: In this prospective study of 40 patients sustaining blunt chest trauma, the value of single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT)-thallium scanning in the prediction of morbidity due to cardiac contusion was examined. Twelve patients developed cardiac complications--arrhythmias, ventricular conduction defects, and pericarditis. The sensitivity of SPECT-thallium scans was 55.6%, and the specificity was 32.1%, with an accuracy of 37.8%. Accuracy of the initial electrocardiogram (ECG) was 85%, with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 82.1%. Patients with a normal ECG on admission rarely developed cardiac complications. It is concluded that SPECT-thallium is not a useful screening tool in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45409.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pavlina
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Broadie
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Schauwecker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003288:Contusions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D003402:Creatine Kinase