The value of routine admission chest radiographs in adult asthmatics.

One hundred twenty-five consecutive admissions in 102 patients hospitalized for acute bronchospasm were studied to determine the need for routine admission chest radiography in asthmatics. Patients were categorized as complicated or uncomplicated asthmatics based on data recorded in the emergency department. Thirteen admission chest radiographs in 44 complicated asthmatics had an impact on management, whereas none of the 81 radiographs in the uncomplicated group affected patient care (P less than .001). Our study suggests that routine admission chest radiographs in uncomplicated asthmatics may be unnecessary.