BACKGROUND: We evaluated the accuracy of surgery residents in interpreting computed axial tomography (CT) scans of trauma patients as compared with attending radiologists. METHODS: Residents listed injuries they identified on initial CT scans of trauma patients in a time-stamped computerized system before the official report becoming available. Head, chest, and abdomen/pelvis CT scans were included. We compared the accuracy of these reads with final radiology reports. RESULTS: There were 84 injuries in 31 patients. Residents correctly identified 25 of 26 (96%) injuries to the head, 28 of 42 (67%) chest injuries, and 15 of 16 (94%) injuries to the abdomen and pelvis. The accuracy of resident reads of chest CT scans was lower (P = .035) than for other body areas. Radiologists' identified 23 of 26 (89%) head injuries, 38 of 42 (90%) chest injuries, and 14 of 16 (88%) injuries in the abdomen and pelvis CT scans. None of the missed injuries were life threatening or required immediate attention. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical residents accurately identify acute injuries on the CT scans of trauma victims.
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the accuracy of surgery residents in interpreting computed axial tomography (CT) scans of traumapatients as compared with attending radiologists. METHODS: Residents listed injuries they identified on initial CT scans of traumapatients in a time-stamped computerized system before the official report becoming available. Head, chest, and abdomen/pelvis CT scans were included. We compared the accuracy of these reads with final radiology reports. RESULTS: There were 84 injuries in 31 patients. Residents correctly identified 25 of 26 (96%) injuries to the head, 28 of 42 (67%) chest injuries, and 15 of 16 (94%) injuries to the abdomen and pelvis. The accuracy of resident reads of chest CT scans was lower (P = .035) than for other body areas. Radiologists' identified 23 of 26 (89%) head injuries, 38 of 42 (90%) chest injuries, and 14 of 16 (88%) injuries in the abdomen and pelvis CT scans. None of the missed injuries were life threatening or required immediate attention. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical residents accurately identify acute injuries on the CT scans of trauma victims.