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Background: Chest radiography (CXR) has not been validated for its prognostic utility in evaluating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 .Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of a CXR severity scoring system for younger (non-elderly) patients with COVID-19 upon initial presentation to the emergency department (ED). Outcomes of interest included hospitalization, intubation, prolonged stay, sepsis, and death. Materials & Methods:In this retrospective study, patients between the ages of 21 and 50 years who presented to EDs of an urban multicenter health system from March 10 -26, 2020 with COVID-19 confirmation on real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were identified.Each patient's ED CXR was divided into 6 zones and examined for opacities by two cardiothoracic radiologists with scores collated into a total concordant lung zone severity score. Clinical and laboratory variables were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the relationship between clinical parameters, CXR scores, and patient outcomes. Results:The study included 338 patients: 210 males (62%), median age 39 [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. After adjustment for demographics and co-morbidities, independent predictors of hospital admission (n=145, 43%) were CXR severity score ≥ 2 (OR: 6.2, 95% CI 3.5-11, p<0.001) and obesity (OR 2.4 (1.1-5.4) or morbid obesity. Of patients who were admitted, a CXR score ≥3 was an independent predictor of intubation (n=28) (OR: 4.7, 95% CI 1.8-13, p=0.002) as was hospital site. We found no significant difference in primary outcomes across race/ethnicity, those with a history of tobacco use, asthma or diabetes mellitus type II. Conclusion:For patients aged 21-50 with COVID-19 presenting to the emergency department, a chest xray severity score was predictive of risk for hospital admission and intubation.

CT/CAP diagnoses TLS fractures more accurately than XR/TLS. Neither misses unstable fractures, but CT scanning finds small fractures that benefit by treatment and identifies chronic disease better. CT screening is far faster and shortens time to removal of spine precautions. CT scan-based diagnosis does not result in greater radiation exposure and improves resource use. Screening the TLS on truncal helical CT scanning performed for the evaluation of visceral injuries is more accurate than TLS imaging by standard radiography. CT/CAP should replace plain radiographs in high-risk trauma patients who require screening.

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