A cut-off of 35mm on CT scan has been shown to be predictive of which traumatic pneumothoracies require thoracostomy tube placement vs. safety of observation. This retrospective study looked at chest X-ray findings to see if there was a similar size cut-off where patients could be safely observed rather than undergo this invasive procedure. They found 38mm was the size over which observation failed. Of note, lactic acidosis and need for supplemental oxygen also predicted the need for chest tube placement
Using chest X-ray to predict tube thoracostomy in traumatic pneumothorax: A single-institution retrospective review
Srinivas, Shruthi MD; Henderson, Katelyn BS; Bergus, Katherine C. MD; Jacobs, Ayanna MD; Baselice, Holly MPH; Donnelly, Edwin MD, PhD; Valdez, Carrie MD; Tracy, Brett M. MD; Coleman, Julia R. MD, MPH
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 97(1):p 82-89, July 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004314
