Relationship between Chest CT Scan Findings and Clinicians’ Expectations in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Respiratory Disease Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: The use of chest Computed Tomography (CT) scans has significantly increased in recent times, and it is also considered the preferred investigation method in various cases, including occult pneumothorax and interstitial lung diseases. Aim: To assess the relationship between chest CT scan findings/outcomes, clinicians’ expectations, and their influence on treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective analytical observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Respiratory Medicine at a tertiary-level hospital, Adesh Medical College and Hospital, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India. The findings of the selected chest CT scans were classified as normal, incidental, or pathological. The response of the consulting physicians to these scans was divided into three grades: highly expected, moderately expected, and unexpected. The impact of these scans on patients’ treatment was divided into three categories: major, minor, and none. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0, and the Chi-square test was used to assess the association between different variables. Results: The mean age of study participants was approximately 58±15 years. Out of the total 74 scans (each belonging to a different individual), the findings of the chest CT scans revealed that 59 (79.7%) scans were pathological, 11 (14.9%) were incidental, and only 4 (5.4%) were normal. The outcomes of these scans were highly expected in 42 (56.7%) cases, moderately expected in 25 (33.8%), and unexpected in 7 (9.5%). These scans had a major impact on the patient’s treatment course in 28 (37.8%) cases, minor impact in 40 (54%), and no influence in 6 (8.1%) cases. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chest CT scan outcomes and clinicians’ expectations, chest CT scan outcomes and their influence on treatment, as well as clinicians’ expectations and the effect of scans on treatment. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all three cases. Conclusion: Chest CT scans significantly impact the diagnostic and treatment pathway for patients.

Keywords

• computed tomography
• clinical impact
• radiology
• lung pathology