The cost-effectiveness of oblique radiography in the exclusion of C7-T1 injury in trauma patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of bilateral oblique radiography with that of CT for excluding C7-T1 injury in trauma patients.


METHODS
Using a historical cohort model, we retrospectively studied two distinct groups of trauma patients. In the first group, which included 196 patients, CT was performed to show C7-T1 anatomy when this region was not adequately revealed on initial three-view cervical spine radiography. In the second group, which included 129 patients, routine three-view radiography was complemented by bilateral oblique views. If these five views failed to adequately reveal C7-T1 anatomy, CT was then performed to show the cervicothoracic junction. Using Medicare reimbursement data, we then compared the cost-effectiveness of CT with that of oblique radiography in terms of cost per cervical spine imaged completely to the level of C7-T1.


RESULTS
In the first group, 50 (26%) of 196 patients underwent CT when C7-T1 anatomy was not adequately revealed on routine three-view cervical spine radiography. In the second group, only 17 (13%) of the 129 patients required CT when five-view radiography failed to adequately reveal C7-T1 anatomy. This difference was statistically significant (p < .01). The cost per completely imaged cervical spine was $92.00 when bilateral oblique radiographs were routinely obtained, compared with $116.28 per completely imaged cervical spine when these views were not obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Because bilateral oblique radiography appears to be cost-effective for the exclusion of cervical spine injuries, we suggest that it be performed routinely.
Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
P P
PP
Kaneriya
M E
ME
Schweitzer
C
C
Spettell
M J
MJ
Cohen
D
D
Karasick
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics; D011859:Radiography / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States