Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?

Background. Torus or buckle distal radius fractures are common injuries in the pediatric population. By definition, they are stable and can be treated conservatively with a wrist splint or soft crepe bandage. Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of serial radiographs in...

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Main Authors: Shi-Neng James Ling, Aidan J. Cleary
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Radiology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/5143639
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author Shi-Neng James Ling
Aidan J. Cleary
author_facet Shi-Neng James Ling
Aidan J. Cleary
author_sort Shi-Neng James Ling
collection DOAJ
description Background. Torus or buckle distal radius fractures are common injuries in the pediatric population. By definition, they are stable and can be treated conservatively with a wrist splint or soft crepe bandage. Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of serial radiographs in the clinical outcome of children with stable distal radius buckle fractures. Materials and Methods. A one-month retrospective analysis was undertaken at two major hospitals in Queensland—Logan and Redlands Hospital. Statistical analysis was performed to identify any relationships between serial radiographs and certain demographic parameters including fracture characteristics, age, sex, and limb side. Results. Of the 136 patients, 50% had more than one radiograph series taken. A total of 576 single radiographs and 251 radiograph series were taken. All fractures healed without complications and did not require active intervention. There was a statistically significant relationship (p=0.0015) between fracture angulation and multiple radiographs series. A cost analysis revealed $55,890 per year could be saved by not performing serial radiographs. Conclusion. Serial radiographs did not appear to change the excellent clinical outcome for children with distal radius buckle fractures. There is a potential to reduce costs and prevent unnecessary ionizing radiation exposure to children.
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spelling doaj-art-a83afd73d23b430eba001ffad4b2efd82025-08-20T02:20:44ZengWileyRadiology Research and Practice2090-19412090-195X2018-01-01201810.1155/2018/51436395143639Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?Shi-Neng James Ling0Aidan J. Cleary1Department of Orthopaedics, Logan Hospital, Meadowbrook, QLD, AustraliaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Logan Hospital, Meadowbrook, QLD, AustraliaBackground. Torus or buckle distal radius fractures are common injuries in the pediatric population. By definition, they are stable and can be treated conservatively with a wrist splint or soft crepe bandage. Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of serial radiographs in the clinical outcome of children with stable distal radius buckle fractures. Materials and Methods. A one-month retrospective analysis was undertaken at two major hospitals in Queensland—Logan and Redlands Hospital. Statistical analysis was performed to identify any relationships between serial radiographs and certain demographic parameters including fracture characteristics, age, sex, and limb side. Results. Of the 136 patients, 50% had more than one radiograph series taken. A total of 576 single radiographs and 251 radiograph series were taken. All fractures healed without complications and did not require active intervention. There was a statistically significant relationship (p=0.0015) between fracture angulation and multiple radiographs series. A cost analysis revealed $55,890 per year could be saved by not performing serial radiographs. Conclusion. Serial radiographs did not appear to change the excellent clinical outcome for children with distal radius buckle fractures. There is a potential to reduce costs and prevent unnecessary ionizing radiation exposure to children.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/5143639
spellingShingle Shi-Neng James Ling
Aidan J. Cleary
Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?
Radiology Research and Practice
title Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?
title_full Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?
title_fullStr Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?
title_full_unstemmed Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?
title_short Are Unnecessary Serial Radiographs Being Ordered in Children with Distal Radius Buckle Fractures?
title_sort are unnecessary serial radiographs being ordered in children with distal radius buckle fractures
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/5143639
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