CLINICAL-VALUE OF RADIOLOGISTS INTERPRETATIONS OF PERIOPERATIVE RADIOGRAPHS OF ORTHOPEDIC PATIENTS

The content and accuracy of radiographic interpretations by radiologis ts was assessed to determine the reports' ability to provide sufficien t information necessary to make clinical treatment decisions. A retros pective review was performed of 371 radiographic studies (211 consecut ive patients) and their reports which had been generated by three Boar d-certified radiologists. Data were collected regarding fracture asses sment and description as well as the description and assessment of ort hopedic implants. These descriptions were categorized by their ability to be used clinically (precise) or not (general). Fracture descriptio ns were considered complete for 85% of reports, while their assessment of alignment and displacement (necessary to determine fracture care) was complete on only 9%. Orthopedic implants were described precisely on 12% of reports with 7% of the descriptions in error. The effect and position of orthopedic implants were described precisely for only 27% and 25% of cases, respectively, while implant stability was assessed precisely in only 4% of cases. For 61% of preoperative studies, the ra diologist's report was not available until after the surgical procedur e had already been performed. For all variables considered, an average of 3% of descriptions contained an error. Radiologists' reports of ra diographs of these patients undergoing orthopedic procedures did not c ontain sufficient descriptive information to be used clinically, were not promptly available, and contained an error for 3% of variables stu died. The attending orthopedic surgeon has traditionally interpreted s uch radiographs and should continue to dose to provide patients with m ore immediate and complete clinical evaluation and management.