Keywords:
Abdomen, Radioprotection / Radiation dose, CT, Audit and standards, Quality assurance, Patterns of Care
Authors:
P. Clarke, S. Boxall, M. Shanmuganathan; QLD/AU
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2019/R-0057
Results
A total of 100 CT abomen and pelvis scans were performed in June 2018 within Mackay ED. The mean age was 59 (range 17 – 87). 32 CTs were performed on patients younger than 50 years of age. 55 and 45 CTs were for male and female patients respectively. 66 CTs were performed outside of usual working hours of a radiologist. 42 CTs showed no acute pathology which includes 17 scans that reported incidental findings not related to the patients presentation to ED. 75 CTs were requested by ED doctors or on behalf of a specialist doctor and prior to clinical assessment by a specialist service – 40% of these scans reported no acute pathology. 25 CTs were requested after a clinical assessment by a specialist service – 48% reported no acute pathology. 28 patients were discharged following a CT A/P in ED – 12 of whom were discharged post specialist review. Uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis was by far the most frequent reported positive acute pathology at 17% with an even spread to the numerous other reported acute pathologies. Only 16 patients went on to have operative management post CT.
The most significant trends identified in this data set include the high percentage of normal reported CTs at 42% for both male and female patients. Of the female patients under the age of 50 that had a CT scan again 42% were reported as normal. A majority (66%) of the CTs were performed outside of radiologist in-hospital working hours.