title: [Contribution of comparative x-rays for infantile traumatology].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a controversy over whether or not routine comparative x-rays should be prescribed for young children with bone and joint trauma. We conducted a retrospective analysis to assess the contribution of such x-rays.
  
  
  METHODS
  The series included 203 children aged less than fifteen years who had experienced bone and joint trauma. Two junior orthopedic surgeons, two senior orthopedic surgeons and two pediatric radiologists reread the x-rays to establish the diagnosis, using comparative x-rays to make any necessary correction of the diagnosis. The surgeons were asked to propose a therapeutic strategy for each diagnosis and the radiologists were asked to judge the value of the comparative x-rays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comparative x-rays were found to be reliable in only 87.5% of the cases, and were useful for diagnosis in only 8.8%. There were statistically significant differences depending on the localization, the patient's age, and the physician's experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic use of comparative x-rays should be discouraged. Only trauma affecting the elbow in older children can, in particular cases, warrant prescription of comparative x-rays.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgique. klamrask@ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lamraski
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamraski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bouté
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gujic
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rotsaert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dugardeyn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Massez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schuind
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001175:Arthrography / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014947:Wounds and Injuries; D000092464:Elbow Injuries