A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Chest Radiograph Findings Among Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Chest radiograph is an imaging modality that uses ionizing radiation used for the evaluation of the thorax and its content. It is readily available, accessible, cheap and greatly employed in the health sector for various reasons.  Objective: Chest radiographs serve as an indispensable diagnostic instrument when it comes to evaluating cardiac and respiratory ailments. The purpose of this study is to examine and compare chest radiograph findings in a tertiary institution, over a two-year period retrospectively. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 6,223 chest radiographs was performed at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. From patient records, demographic and clinical data were extracted and analysed with SPSS version 21.0, setting the level of statistical significance at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the study population was 38.14±20.25 years, and the female gender comprised the majority (54.93%). Cardiomegaly was the most frequently observed indication (20.48%), whereas pleural effusion/collection was the least frequent (4.04%). A statistically significant disparity was identified among all clinical parameters across years: cardiomegaly and aortic unfolding exhibited a higher prevalence in 2019, whereas atheromatous plaques demonstrated a greater prevalence in 2020. Conclusion:  The prevalence of cardiomegaly highlights the possible necessity for routine chest radiographs among the ageing adult population in Nigeria. This research emphasises the significance of ongoing radiographic monitoring for the early detection of cardiothoracic conditions and offers valuable epidemiological insights.