The value of computerized tomography of the chest in patients with neutropenic fever

Background: Absolute neutropenia in hematological malignancies remains the single most important risk factor for infection, which can be fatal and requires urgent management including radiological procedures and treatment. Objectives: To compare computerized tomography (CT) of the chest with chest r...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Khudhair A AL-Khalissi, Ahmed I Shukr, Azher S AL-Zubaidy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: College of Medicine University of Baghdad 2015-10-01
Series:مجلة كلية الطب
Subjects:
Online Access:http://iqjmc.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/19JFacMedBaghdad36/article/view/365
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Summary:Background: Absolute neutropenia in hematological malignancies remains the single most important risk factor for infection, which can be fatal and requires urgent management including radiological procedures and treatment. Objectives: To compare computerized tomography (CT) of the chest with chest radiology (CXR) in the assessment of febrile neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancy. Patients and methods: A prospective study, carried out in the hematological ward, Baghdad teaching hospital, for the period from 1stApril 2011to 30thApril 2012.It included 46 neutropenic febrile patients .All had chest X-ray (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) of the chest. Results: Male were 21, and female were 25. Mean age was 47.89 ± 15.32 years. Mean absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 0.25X109/L. 29 (63%) patients had normal CXR in which CT was abnormal in 3 of them. 17 (37%) had the same abnormalities on CXR and CT. Conclusion: Computerized tomography is superior to CXR in patients with neutropenic fever, and it should be included in the investigations, especially in patients with respiratory symptoms.
ISSN:0041-9419
2410-8057