Radiologists and Emergency Physicians at Trauma Centers Interpret Pelvic Plain Films with Equal Accuracy

But when compared to computed tomography, plain films missed a substantial percentage of pelvic fractures.

To compare the accuracy of radiologists and emergency physicians (EPs) at diagnosing fractures on plain pelvic radiographs, researchers in the U.K. evaluated readings by 12 radiologists (6 consultants and 6 trainees), 12 EPs working in trauma centers (5 consultants and 7 trainees), and 9 EPs not working in trauma centers (2 consultants and 7 trainees); all trainees had at least 3 years of experience in their specialty. Participants were asked to interpret 99 normal and 45 abnormal pelvic radiographs; abnormal films showed a total of 100 pelvic fractures (based on results of concurrent computed tomography imaging).

For identifying fractures, there was no significant difference between radiologists and EPs working in trauma centers; EPs workin…

Reviewing Author

Diane Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)