DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF CHEST X-RAY IN THE DETECTION OF PNEUMOTHORAX IN BLUNT CHEST TRAUMA PATIENTS WITH CT AS THE GOLD STANDARD

Background: To study the diagnostic accuracy of chest X-ray in the detection of pneumothorax in blunt chest trauma patients with CT as the Gold Standard Methods: The present study was conducted from 31th July 2018 to 30th July 2019. A total of 36 patients were enrolled in the study. Results: On Chest X-Ray Supine AP view, pneumothorax was detected in 11 of 24 patients. The sensitivity of Chest X-Ray Supine AP view was 45.83%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) was 48% and accuracy was 63.89% for the diagnosis of pneumothorax. Conclusion: A Chest radiograph is the most preferred and relevant primary investigation in the diagnosis of pneumothorax even with the various advanced techniques that are available. X-ray being relatively cheaper and is easily available even at the peripheral centers at the primary health care level. Keywords: X-ray, CT, Pneumothorax