Sunday, December 1 | 2:30 p.m.-2:40 p.m. | S5-STCE1-1 | Learning Center Theater 1
A study in this session suggests that adjacent x-ray imaging had low diagnostic efficacy for both upper and lower limb regions. The finding underscores the importance of adopting a value-based approach to radiology, according to the researchers.
Dania Abu Awwad, PhD, of the University of Sydney, will present a study that used data from 1,514 patients extracted from two hospitals over a six-month period. All patients who presented for x-rays and had multiple adjacent regions x-rayed within 24 hours were included, with x-rays restricted to upper and lower extremities. The main region of interest or the first x-ray was referred to as the initial x-ray, while any other x-ray taken after was considered adjacent imaging. The clinical history of each imaging request was collected and compared to the radiology reports.
According to the analysis, out of 3,589 x-rays taken, 60% of adjacent x-rays showed no new findings, 24% had other findings, such as osteoarthritis or swelling, 2% had suspicious findings, and only 15% had new findings such as fractures. Moreover, 92% of all new findings were found in the initial x-ray, meaning that 32% of initial x-rays had a new finding but only 2% of adjacent x-rays had new findings.
“While multiple fractures or concurrent injuries are possible, justification for each requested region is needed, as this impacts workflow efficiency and radiation dose to patients,” the group concluded.
Check out this Sunday afternoon scientific session to learn more.
