title: Diagnostic Accuracy of Full-Body Linear X-Ray Scanning in Multiple Trauma Patients in Comparison to Computed Tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of full-body linear X-ray scanning (LS) in multiple trauma patients in comparison to 128-multislice computed tomography (MSCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  106 multiple trauma patients (female: 33; male: 73) were retrospectively included in this study. All patients underwent LS of the whole body, including extremities, and MSCT covering the neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. The diagnostic accuracy of LS for the detection of fractures of the truncal skeleton and pneumothoraces was evaluated in comparison to MSCT by two observers in consensus. Extremity fractures detected by LS were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall sensitivity of LS was 49.2 %, the specificity was 93.3 %, the positive predictive value was 91 %, and the negative predictive value was 57.5 %. The overall sensitivity for vertebral fractures was 16.7 %, and the specificity was 100 %. The sensitivity was 48.7 % and the specificity 98.2 % for all other fractures. Pneumothoraces were detected in 12 patients by CT, but not by LS. 40 extremity fractures were detected by LS, of which 4 fractures were dislocated, and 2 were fully covered by MSCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic accuracy of LS is limited in the evaluation of acute trauma of the truncal skeleton. LS allows fast whole-body X-ray imaging, and may be valuable for detecting extremity fractures in trauma patients in addition to MSCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall sensitivity of LS for truncal skeleton injuries in multiple-trauma patients was < 50 %. The diagnostic reference standard MSCT is the preferred and reliable imaging modality. LS may be valuable for quick detection of extremity fractures.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital - University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A P W
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Jöres
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital - University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Heverhagen
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital - University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bonél
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital - University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Exadaktylos
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital - University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015588:Observer Variation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult