title: Making the transition: the role of helical CT in the evaluation of potentially acute thoracic aortic injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235-8896, USA.
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Parker
authors: T L
authors: TL
authors: Matheson
authors: A V
authors: AV
authors: Rao
authors: C D
authors: CD
authors: Sherbourne
authors: K G
authors: KG
authors: Jordan
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Landay
authors: G L
authors: GL
authors: Miller
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Summa
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*