Plain X-ray findings among chest trauma patients in Lagos

Abstract

Background: Chest trauma survivors experience a complexity of problems. Plain radiography of the chest has being the standard diagnostic tool in the initial evaluation of chest trauma patients. The aim of this study is to identify plain chest radiograph findings seen in chest trauma patients and investigate the major causes of chest trauma. Methodology: The study is a cross-sectional retrospective study designed to identify plain chest radiograph findings in all patients with chest trauma in two public hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria from June 2012 to September 2012. The data was analyzed using epidemiology information (Epi Info) software. Results: A total of 200 patients that underwent chest X-ray due to chest trauma were reviewed. The majority of the cases were of the age group of 36–45 years, followed by age range 46–55 years. The majority of the cases at the National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi were males 71 (61.7%) while females accounted for 44 (38.3%). The figures for the cases at The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital were 63 (74.1%) for males and 22 (25.8%) were female. Clinical information revealed that most cases of chest trauma were caused by road traffic accident, followed by gunshot injuries. The most common radiograph finding was rib fracture. Conclusion: Chest injury is more common in males. The majority of the chest trauma cases were related to blunt chest trauma. Rib fracture is the most common finding in chest radiographs of patients with blunt and penetrating trauma.