![]() ![]() The increased availability and use of CT scans in the emergency department has been well documented. These are classified as “incidental findings.” ![]() Commonly included in radiology specialist’s interpretation of these scans are findings unrelated to the chief complaint and not pertinent to the immediate patient care in the emergency department. It is currently estimated that there are 62 million CT scans done per year in the United States. While previous research suggests that CT incidental findings are often benign, reporting to patients is recommended but this is rarely happening.Ĭomputed tomography (CT) scans are commonly used diagnostic tools in the emergency department (ED). There was no significant disclosure or incidental finding difference by gender.Ĭonclusions. Patients age <60 were less likely to have incidental findings ( ). Patients with 1 incidental finding were less likely to receive disclosure than patients with 2 or more ( ). A total of 348 incidental findings were documented in 228/682 (33.4%) of the scans, of which 34 (9.8%) were reported to patients in discharge paperwork. There were 682 CT scans among 600 patients: 199 Abdomen & Pelvis, 405 Head, and 78 Thorax. CT reports were used to identify incidental findings and discharge paperwork was used to determine whether the patient was informed of these findings. Retrospective chart review (Aug-Oct 2009) of 600 patients age 18 and older discharged home from an urban Level 1 trauma center. We sought to examine rates of findings and disclosure among discharged patients who received a CT scan in the ED. Incidental findings on computed tomography (CT) scans are common. ![]()
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