title: Radiographic screening for ECT: use and usefulness.
abstract: Members of the Association for Convulsive Therapy were surveyed by mail about use of muscle relaxants and radiologic studies for ECT. One hundred eleven completed responses were received (69%), indicating that 40% routinely acquire pre-ECT spine and skull radiographs taking from 1 to 10 films. From patients receiving more than one course of ECT, 57 pre- and post-ECT pairs of films taken within 1 month of the start and end of a course, respectively, were selected. The films were identified only by age and sex of the patient and were evaluated by a radiologist. A senior psychiatrist reviewed the pre-ECT radiographic reports to determine whether a change in routine ECT procedure was required. Few clinically significant radiologic findings in the pre- or post-ECT films were noted.
authors.affiliation: Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Milstein
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Milstein
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D013390:Succinylcholine