Relevance of Chest CT Scan Requests in Two University Teaching Hospitals in a Developing Country

Abstract

Chest investigation is common in hospital practice. Chest X-ray is readily available and usually the first chest investigation. Thoracic CT scan constitutes an alternative and complimentary chest investigation. It is currently the most efficient investigation for the chest and its contents. Objectives: To evaluate the relevance of chest CT Scan requests in two university teaching hospitals in Cameroon. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study at the Radiology and imaging units of the Yaounde Central Hospital and the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital Centre. Included in our study were files of patients who had a chest CT scan investigation during three years. Results: We had a study population of 323 subjects. The age interval was 23 months to 91 years old. Pulmonologist were the most prescribers with 27.2%. We had 80% conformity of indications with French Society of Radiology (FSR) standards. 50 over of 323 indications were not recommended by the FSR. Conclusion: There is a conformity rate of 80% between indications and the FSR recommendations.

Chest Computed Tomography of Elderly Subjects at University Hospital Campus Lomé

“…We had not received a request for thoracic CT from pulmonologists for the duration of this study. These results differ widely from those of Awana et al where pulmonologists were the largest providers of chest CT followed by general practitioners with respective percentages of 27.2 and 18.6% [7]. The paradox is that no chest CT performed during this study had been requested by a pulmonologist.…”