title: Value of preoperative chest X-ray examinations in children.
abstract: To assess the value of routine preoperative chest x-ray films in pediatric patients, a prospective study of 1,500 patients, ages newborn to 19 years, was undertaken. Of all the patients, 7.5% demonstrated at least one roentgenographic abnormality, with 4.7% of the patients demonstrating a totally unsuspected significant roentgenographic anomaly. In 3.8% of the patients, surgery was eihter postponed or cancelled or the anesthetic technique was altered as a result of the roentgenographic finding. It is believed that the routine preoperative chest film is justified if the film is evaluated before surgery and the results clinically followed up.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000758:Anesthesia; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative