To the Editor: Computed tomography (CT) of the chest is superior to chest x-ray as an imaging modality of the lungs, mediastinum, pleura and the chest wall,1 and its use is increasing for a range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.2 There are clear indications for the appropriate use of chest CT, and adherence to these can reduce cost, workload, procedure-related complications and radiation exposure. Our group recently analysed referrals for chest CT from general practice, and found that the scan was clinically helpful in only 12%, and inappropriate in 68%.3 We thus examined the indications for ordering CT of the chest, and the associated outcomes in hospital inpatients, who had been referred for chest CT by general physicians.
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- 1. Wells AU. Thoracic imaging. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 24: 331-332.
- 2. Mettler FA Jr, Wiest PW, Locken JA, Kelsey CA. CT scanning: patterns of use and dose. J Radiol Prot 2000; 20: 353-359.
- 3. Simpson G, Hartrick GS. Use of thoracic tomography by general practitioners. Med J Aust 2007; 187: 43-46. <MJA full text>
- 4. Lau L, editor. Imaging guidelines. 4th ed. Sydney: Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, 2001.
We thank the staff of Cairns Base Hospital Radiology Department and Rabia Khan, Tropical Public Health Unit Network, Queensland Health, for her guidance with the statistical analysis.