Chest X-Ray Findings Among Adult Patients Attending a Private Diagnostic Centre in Sokoto

Abstract

Background: Chest X-ray (CXR) is the most frequently requested imaging modality in radiology departments, serving as the primary investigation for common respiratory and cardiac complaints such as chest pain, cough, or difficulty breathing. It is also routinely employed for screening purposes, including pre-employment, annual medical exams, evaluation for metastatic disease, and pre/post-operative assessment.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalent radiological findings in adult patients who underwent chest X-ray examinations at Medistop Clinical Diagnostic Centre.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional design was utilized. Data were collected from the chest X-ray request cards and corresponding radiologist reports of adult patients using a structured data capture sheet. Variables included age, sex, clinical history, and final radiological findings (conclusion). Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel, employing descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) for summarization.

Results: A total of 140 reports were reviewed. The patient cohort was predominantly male (55.71%) and ranged in age from under 20 to over 80 years. The most represented age group was 60-69 years (21.43%), followed by 30-39 years (17.86%). The most common overall finding was normal (30.71%). Among the pathological findings, Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) was the most prevalent, reported in 37 cases (26.43%). This was followed by pulmonary tuberculosis, which accounted for 24 reports (17.16%). Lobar pneumonic consolidation was the least common finding (0.71%). Notably, 85% of request cards included a clinical indication, and the study found a statistically significant association between the clinician's presumptive diagnosis and the final chest X-ray findings.

Conclusion: Normal findings were the single most prevalent outcome (30.71%). The most common abnormal finding identified in adult patients was Congestive Cardiac Failure (26.4%), highlighting the significant burden of cardiac-related pathology in the patient population studied. This underscores the CXR's vital role in initial diagnosis and screening for both respiratory and non-respiratory conditions.