Citation

Patel H, Swinson S, Johnson K. Clin. Radiol. 2016; 72(3): 202-206.

Affiliation

Birmingahm Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Royal College of Radiologists, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.crad.2016.07.019

PMID

27771046

Abstract

AIM: To re-assess the content and quality of skeletal surveys performed in the investigation of non-accidental injury following the publication of nationally agreed guidelines produced jointly by the Royal College of Radiologists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2008.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive skeletal surveys performed in England, which were sent to a tertiary paediatric hospital for a second opinion, were reviewed for their content and quality. The number and type of view was assessed with reference to the 21 recommended views as set out in the College guidance. The quality of each view was assessed and given a score up to a maximum of 10.

RESULTS: A total of 2,294 radiographic views were acquired, with an average of 22.9 per survey (range 12-21). Fifty-one of the surveys contained all 21 recommended views (previously 15%). The average quality score per view was 9.7/10 (97%), previously 9.7/11 (88%). The commonest cause of reduced quality was the presence of an artefact on the image.

CONCLUSION: There has been an improvement in the content of skeletal surveys performed in England, which in part may be due to the publication of the national joint Royal College guidance; however, there remain areas for continued development in order to improve practice further.

Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en