Need to develop chest X-ray standards stressed

Since chest X-Rays are one of the most commonly requested investigation for children, there is a need for clinicians and radiologists to work together to develop standards for it, according to Gibikote Sridhar, professor of radiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore.

“Typically, chest X-rays are ordered for children who are suspected to have pneumonia or Lower Respiratory Tract Infection. While they are an important necessary diagnostic tool, it is imperative to evaluate when they are necessary,” he said, delivering the XVI Millennium Oration in Paediatric Radiology organised by the Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital here on Sunday.

There are studies that show that in a majority of children with non-severe pneumonia, the chest X-rays are normal, making it unnecessary to prescribe it for children with this condition, he said.

“We have found that clinicians with greater experience were less likely to use chest X-rays for normal conditions,” he added.

Speaking of the clinician-radiologist connect, he said the main method for the radiologist and clinician to communicate was through the radiologists’ reports. “Often radiologists’ reports can vary greatly in their content, style and effectiveness. Around 80 per cent of lawsuits involving radiologists are owing to poor communication and there is a need to develop standards for writing reports,” he said.

On the occasion, M.R. Srinivasan, former chairman, Indian Atomic Energy Commission; R. Narayana Babu, Dean, Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital and K. Mathangi Ramakrishnan, Chairperson, CHILDS Trust Medical Research Foundation, spoke.

Since chest X-Rays are most commonly requested investigation method for children, there is a need for clinicians and radiologists to develop standards for it, according to Gibikote Sridhar, professor of radiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore.

“While chest X-rays are an important necessary diagnostic tool, it is imperative to evaluate when they are necessary,” he said, delivering the XVI Millennium Oration in Paediatric Radiology organised by Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital here on Sunday. There are studies that show that in a majority of children with non-severe pneumonia, chest X-rays are normal, making it unnecessary to prescribe it for children with this condition.

Speaking of clinician-radiologist connect, he said, “Often radiologists’ reports can vary in their content, style and effectiveness. Around 80 per cent of lawsuits involving radiologists are owing to poor communication.”

Around 80 per cent of lawsuits involving radiologists are owing to poor communication, says Gibikote Sridhar, professor of radiology