Carly S Gardner1, Tracy A Jaffe2, Rendon C Nelson3. 1. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 1473, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA. csgardne@gmail.com. 2. Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3808, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. tracy.jaffe@duke.edu. 3. Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3808, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. rendon.nelson@duke.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to document the clinical impact of CT in elderly patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain. METHODS: This retrospective IRB-approved study from 2006 to 2013 evaluated 464 patients ≥80 years (mean 89 years, range 80-100: M150, W314), who presented to the ED with acute abdominal symptoms and underwent CT. CTs were divided into those negative and positive for actionable findings, defined as potentially requiring a change in surgical or medical management. Physician diagnosis, treatment plan, and disposition before and after CT were reviewed in the electronic medical record to assess CT influence on management and disposition. CT diagnosis was confirmed with final clinical diagnosis, surgical intervention, pathology, and follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: CTs were positive in 55%. The most common diagnoses were SBO (18%), diverticulitis (9%), non-ischemic vascular-related emergency (6%), bowel ischemia (4%), appendicitis (3%), and colonic obstruction (2%). These diagnoses were clinically unsuspected prior to CT in 43% (p < 0.05), with significant difficultly in diagnosing SBO (p < 0.05), diverticulitis (p < 0.01), and colonic obstruction (p < 0.01). Positive CT results influenced treatment plans in 65%, surgical in 48%, and medical in 52%. Disposition from the ED was significantly affected by CT (p < 0.001), 65% of admissions with positive CT (p < 0.001) and 63% of discharges with negative CT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Utilization of abdominopelvic CT in geriatric patients presenting to the ED with acute abdominal symptoms strongly influences clinical management and significantly affects disposition. As the US population ages, the clinical impact of emergent CT in the elderly will intensify.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to document the clinical impact of CT in elderly patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain. METHODS: This retrospective IRB-approved study from 2006 to 2013 evaluated 464 patients ≥80 years (mean 89 years, range 80-100: M150, W314), who presented to the ED with acute abdominal symptoms and underwent CT. CTs were divided into those negative and positive for actionable findings, defined as potentially requiring a change in surgical or medical management. Physician diagnosis, treatment plan, and disposition before and after CT were reviewed in the electronic medical record to assess CT influence on management and disposition. CT diagnosis was confirmed with final clinical diagnosis, surgical intervention, pathology, and follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: CTs were positive in 55%. The most common diagnoses were SBO (18%), diverticulitis (9%), non-ischemic vascular-related emergency (6%), bowel ischemia (4%), appendicitis (3%), and colonic obstruction (2%). These diagnoses were clinically unsuspected prior to CT in 43% (p < 0.05), with significant difficultly in diagnosing SBO (p < 0.05), diverticulitis (p < 0.01), and colonic obstruction (p < 0.01). Positive CT results influenced treatment plans in 65%, surgical in 48%, and medical in 52%. Disposition from the ED was significantly affected by CT (p < 0.001), 65% of admissions with positive CT (p < 0.001) and 63% of discharges with negative CT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Utilization of abdominopelvic CT in geriatric patients presenting to the ED with acute abdominal symptoms strongly influences clinical management and significantly affects disposition. As the US population ages, the clinical impact of emergent CT in the elderly will intensify.
Entities:
Keywords:
Abdominal pain; CT; Elderly; Emergency department
Authors: Ekin Ozturk; Marianne van Iersel; Martijn Mwj Stommel; Yvonne Schoon; Richard Rpg Ten Broek; Harry van Goor Journal: World J Emerg Surg Date: 2018-10-20 Impact factor: 5.469
Authors: Paola Fugazzola; Marco Ceresoli; Federico Coccolini; Francesco Gabrielli; Alessandro Puzziello; Fabio Monzani; Bruno Amato; Gabriele Sganga; Massimo Sartelli; Francesco Menichetti; Gabriele Adolfo Puglisi; Dario Tartaglia; Paolo Carcoforo; Nicola Avenia; Yoram Kluger; Ciro Paolillo; Mauro Zago; Ari Leppäniemi; Matteo Tomasoni; Lorenzo Cobianchi; Francesca Dal Mas; Mario Improta; Ernest E Moore; Andrew B Peitzman; Michael Sugrue; Vanni Agnoletti; Gustavo P Fraga; Dieter G Weber; Dimitrios Damaskos; Fikri M Abu-Zidan; Imtiaz Wani; Andrew W Kirkpatrick; Manos Pikoulis; Nikolaos Pararas; Edward Tan; Richard Ten Broek; Ronald V Maier; R Justin Davies; Jeffry Kashuk; Vishal G Shelat; Alain Chicom Mefire; Goran Augustin; Stefano Magnone; Elia Poiasina; Belinda De Simone; Massimo Chiarugi; Walt Biffl; Gian Luca Baiocchi; Fausto Catena; Luca Ansaloni Journal: World J Emerg Surg Date: 2022-01-21 Impact factor: 5.469