Ultra-Low-Dose Computed Tomography for Pneumonia in the Emergency Department: A Feasibility Study

• Main Author: Bianco,Danilo P.
• Publication Date: 2024
• Other Authors: Accorsi,Tarso A. D., Souza,Jose L., Mello,Eduardo S., Silva,Joselito A., Teles,Gustavo B. S., Chate,Rodrigo C., Santos,Andre R. C., Moron,Renato A., Mattos,Fernando R., Teles,Adriana Gusman, Oliveira,Roger Pereira, Almeida,Elizabeth Aparecida, Zimmer,Paulo M., Funari,Marcelo B. G., Benveniste,Marcelo, Szarf,Gilberto
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://scielo.pt/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2183-13512024000100012
• topic: Pneumonia; Computed tomography; Antibacterial agents; Emergency medical services.

Abstract Background: The role of ultra-low-dose chest CT (ULDCT) in the emergency department is unknown. Purpose: This study sought to examine feasibility of ULDCT in adults presenting to the emergency department for whom pneumonia was suspected. Radiation dose and time interval between medical request and ULDCT results were measured, antibiotic prescriptions were correlated. Methods: Between October 2017 and December 2018, we prospectively enrolled consecutive healthy adult patients in a single-center for whom community-acquired pneumonia was suspected and for whom no definitive diagnosis was possible by clinical judgment. Exclusion criteria comprised all chronic conditions that could impact severity and interpretation of image. Results: 131 eligible patients (mean age 43.5 years; 57% men) were enrolled to ULDCT. Eighteen (13.7%) patients were excluded. Average CT radiation dose was 0.14 mSv. Time interval between medical request and ultra-low-dose chest CT result was 43 minutes. Only 15.9% of patients with negative CT received antibiotics. Conclusion: Ultra-low-dose chest CT was feasible for almost all patients in a group of healthy adults presenting to the emergency department with suspected community-acquired pneumonia. Results were made available in a reasonable interval, and negative ones were associated with a low antibiotic prescription rate.