Use of computed tomography abdomen and pelvis for investigation of febrile neutropenia in adult haematology patients

Intern Med J. 2016 Nov;46(11):1332-1336. doi: 10.1111/imj.13235.

Abstract

We retrospectively evaluated the use of computed tomography abdomen and pelvis (CTAP) in febrile neutropenic autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. CTAP was more common in ASCT patients (59%) compared with AML (31%; P < 0.001). Although abnormal findings were reported in 51%, only 10% resulted in therapy change (addition of anaerobic antibiotic/bowel rest), which would have otherwise been instituted based on clinical grounds. CTAP in these patients rarely provide useful information unsuspected clinically.

Keywords: acute myeloid leukaemia; autologous stem cell transplant; computed tomography; febrile neutropenia.

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Australia
  • Febrile Neutropenia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Febrile Neutropenia / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Fever / drug therapy
  • Hematology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / diagnostic imaging
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pelvis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents