ABSTRACT
Objective To explore MSCT optimal examination time window for patients with occult rib fracture, and provide objective evidence for forensic injury. Methods Totally 105 cases with chest trauma were retrospectively analysed. They were examined in the first week after trauma and re-examined in different time windows by MSCT. The quantities of occult rib fractures in the first examination were compared to those in re-examinations. Results The quantities of occult rib fractures at different inspection time windows were mostly different. There was no statistically significant between the quantities of rib fractures in the first week and the second week, the first week and the sixth week later, the fourth week and the fifth to sixth weeks (P>0.05). There was statistically significant between the quantities of rib fractures in the first week and the thrid to sixth weeks, the second week and the third to sixth weeks, the third week and the fourth to sixth weeks (P<0.05). Conclusion The result of the study imply that the fourth to sixth week is the optimal time window of MSCT examination in the occult rib fracture.