The value of CT ribs unfolded algorithm in the diagnosis of rib fracture

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the value of a CT ribs unfolding algorithm in the diagnosis of rib fracture. Methods Retrospective analysis of 180 patients who suffered chest trauma to do the chest or/and abdominal CT examination, and they also had the surgical or CT referral information. The images of these patients were postprocessed by software(Bone Reading software)and hand-drawn method(multi-point hand-painted CPR method). The rib fracture was observed and the time of reading was record. The diagnosis of fractures was confirmed by follow-up review or surgery. The fractures diagnosis sensitivity of the two post-treatment methods were measured, and the McNemar test was used to compare the difference between the software method and the hand-drawn method. Results Eight patients were excluded due to program failure, 172 cases were included in the study. Of the 172 patients, 63 patients suffered 259 fractures(178 ribs). The sensitivity of the software group was 91.7％(475/518), which was higher than that of the hand-painted group(86.3％, 447/518), the difference was statistically significant(P=0.005). The time of reading were (30.3 ± 3.3)and(173.2 ± 4.5)s, respectively, and the difference had statistically significant(P=0.001). Conclusion Compared to the traditional CPR method, the bone reading technique was used in patients with rib fractures during thoracic CT postprocessing can shorten the reading time and increase the sensitivity of the diagnosis.