Radiography of injured arms and legs in eight accident and emergency units in England and Wales. Royal College of Radiologists Working Party.

Abstract

The use of radiography of the arms and legs (extremity radiography) in 32936 patients attending eight accident and emergency units was studied. Although extremity radiography was satisfactory in terms of cost per bony injury detected (40 pounds), considerable differences between centres in the predicted and actual yields of bony injury were observed. Guidelines for selection of patients for extremity radiography would reduce variability in its use and improve the quality of present practice.