THE ROLE OF THE RADIOLOGIST IN SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT - AN AUDIT OF CLINICORADIOLOGICAL CONFERENCES

A prospective analysis of the radiological findings and final diagnose s of 342 patients discussed at joint surgical/radiological conferences over a seven-month period was undertaken in an attempt to define the role of the radiologist in the clinical management of surgical patient s. Although the diagnosis had already been correctly made on clinical or radiological grounds in 38% (130/342) of patients presented at the X-ray conferences, careful review of the films resulted in an immediat e firm diagnosis in a further 9% (31/342), or promoted further radiolo gical investigations which were responsible for an eventual definitive diagnosis in 20% of the remainder (32/169). The input of the radiolog ist in selecting the most appropriate additional investigation was par ticularly valuable in the management of more complex clinical problems .