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.
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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.