Limited utility of routine chest X-ray in initial evaluation of neutropenic fever in patients with haematological diseases undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Routine chest X-ray (CXR) is recommended for neutropenic fever (NF) management however its role is relatively understudied in haematology patients. AIM: To investigate the utility of CXR in the diagnosis and management of patients with haematological conditions complicated by NF. METHODS: Retrospective, single-centre analysis of haematology patients admitted with NF between January 2011 and December 2015. Baseline demographics, treatment details and outcomes were collected from electronic patient records. CXR underwent independent radiology review. Primary endpoints were a proportion of NF episodes in which CXR detected a probable chest infection in the absence of respiratory sym..