The utility of lateral neck radiographs in the management of fish bones

BACKGROUND: Lateral neck radiographs are commonly used in the investigation and management of patients presenting with suspected fish bone impaction. The effectiveness of these is questioned, as many fish do not have radio-opaque bones.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the utility of lateral neck radiographs in the management of patients presenting with fish bones retained in the upper aerodigestive tract, with the creation of a treatment algorithm to guide further management.

METHODS: An audit of practice was undertaken at the University Hospital of Southampton, identifying all patients admitted with potential fish bone impaction in the upper aerodigestive tract. Following analysis, a treatment algorithm was constructed for use by junior doctors.

RESULTS: In total, 34 per cent of patients with a normal radiograph were subsequently found to have a fish bone present under local or general anaesthetic assessment. The sensitivity of radiographs in the detection of fish bones was found to be 51.6 per cent.

CONCLUSION: Lateral neck radiographs have limited value in the management of suspected fish bone impaction, and should only be used following detailed clinical examination of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2019

Erschienen:

2019

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:133

Enthalten in:

The Journal of laryngology and otology - 133(2019), 12 vom: 19. Dez., Seite 1064-1067

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Pitts-Tucker, T [VerfasserIn]
Biggs, T C [VerfasserIn]
Patel, N N [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Algorithms
Evaluation Study
Hospitals, University
Humans
Journal Article
Otolaryngology
Radiography

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 03.03.2020

Date Revised 03.03.2020

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1017/S0022215119002330

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM30342933X