Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the impact of CT scans on diagnosis or change of therapy in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis and obscure clinical infection. Methods CT records of patients with obscure clinical infection and SIRS or sepsis were retrospectively evaluated. Both confirmation of and changes in the diagnosis or therapy based on CT findings were analysed by ...
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the impact of CT scans on diagnosis or change of therapy in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis and obscure clinical infection. Methods CT records of patients with obscure clinical infection and SIRS or sepsis were retrospectively evaluated. Both confirmation of and changes in the diagnosis or therapy based on CT findings were analysed by means of the hospital information system and radiological information system. A subgroup analysis included differences with regard to anatomical region, medical history and referring department. Results Of 525 consecutive patients evaluated, 59% had been referred from internal medicine and 41% from surgery. CT examination had confirmed the suspected diagnosis in 26% and had resulted in a different diagnosis in 33% and a change of therapy in 32%. Abdominal scans yielded a significantly higher (p=0.013) change of therapy rate (42%) than thoracic scans (22%). Therapy was changed significantly more often (p=0.016) in surgical patients (38%) than in patients referred from internal medicine (28%). Conclusions CT examination for detecting an unknown infection focus in patients with SIRS or sepsis is highly beneficial and should be conducted in patients with obscure clinical infection.
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