A pilot study to derive clinical variables for selective chest radiography in blunt trauma patients.

Study Objective: The goal of this pilot study was to determine whether clinical criteria can identify blunt trauma patients with significant acute intrathoracic injury on chest radiograph.

Methods: From January 2003 to May 2004, adult blunt trauma patients who received chest radiographs were prospectively enrolled at 2 urban trauma centers. Exclusion criteria were age less than 15 years, penetrating trauma, trauma more than 72 hours before presentation, isolated head trauma, and Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 14.