Follow-Up Chest X-rays in Minor Chest Trauma with Fewer Than Three Rib Fractures: A Justifiable, Habitual Re-Imaging Industry?

This study examines if routine follow-up chest X-rays are needed for patients with minor chest injuries (fewer than three rib fractures) who don't show signs of breathing problems when they first arrive at the hospital. Researchers looked back at the records of 249 patients treated at a trauma center between 2015 and 2017 to see how many needed further treatment after a week. The study found that only a small number of patients (1.6%) needed additional intervention based on these follow-up X-rays, suggesting that routine X-rays might not be necessary, and doctors could instead monitor patients for symptoms.

• 1
  Only 1.6% of patients with minor chest trauma and fewer than three rib fractures required delayed intervention (tube thoracostomy) based on follow-up CXRs.
• 2
  There were no missed pneumothoraxes on the initial CXR as evaluated by a radiologist and trauma surgeon.
• 3
  Symptom-triggered reappearance seems to be more sufficient and economical compared to habitual reimaging.