Abstract
Introduction: High resolution computerised tomography scanning (HRCT) is widely used for the investigation of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and bronchiectasis. If significant numbers of inappropriate scans were requested it could be argued that its use should be restricted to senior chest physicians only.
Methods: All HRCT scans performed over an eight month period between January - August 2009 at our hospital were identified and only those that had been performed as an initial investigation into suspected ILD/bronchiectasis were included. The xray card and clinic letters were analyzed to see who had requested them.
Results: 82 HRCT scans were eligible for inclusion. 30/43 (69.8%) of the scans requested by respiratory physicians confirmed the suspected diagnosis compared with 24/39 (61.5%) by non-respiratory physicians (p = 0.4892). 12/17 (70.6%) of the scans requested by respiratory trainees confirmed the diagnosis compared with 42/65 (64.6%) requested by consultant physicians (p = 0.7774).
Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the number of negative scans requested by non-respiratory and respiratory physicians or between respiratory trainees and Consultants. We therefore suggest that the use of HRCT scanning should not be restricted to senior respiratory specialists.
- © 2011 ERS