Too many CT scans?

December 1, 2007

Taking issue with the recent NEJM study, and wondering whether radiologists have any credibility:

The article cites a “straw poll” of pediatric radiologists (which appears to be a panel discussion in which the audience was apparently able to vote on questions posed by the panel discussants) who opined that 30% of the CT scans ordered were unnecessary. Let me translate that into non-medical lingo:

“We are a group of sub-subspecialists who perform very little direct patient care and, based on our anonymous and unsubstantiated opinions using retrospective analysis of negative CT scan results, those doctors who do perform patient care should not have performed 30% of the CT scans they ordered.”



Related posts:

  1. The quality of CT and MRI scans vary, and how old machines can affect the treatment course
  2. CT scans will go on
  3. CT scans and the ER
  4. Cardiac scans are not ready for prime time
  5. CT scans
  6. Cardiac scans are being overused
  7. More trouble for CT scans of the heart


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