Picture archive and communication system (PACS) in the detection of fish bone: an animal study.
OBJECTIVE
We have developed an animal model to investigate the feasibility of using a digital radiography picture archive and communication system (PACS) to identify fish bones.


METHODS
Bones from 21 species of freshwater and seawater fish were placed in the upper esophagus of a test pig. Digital radiographic images of the lateral neck were taken (60 kV, 200 mA, and 20 ms, 100 cm in distance). The images were interpreted by three radiologists. The chi(2) test, Kendall's coefficient of concordance, and the logistic regression model were applied for statistical analyses.


RESULTS
Milkfish had the lowest visibility (33.3%) in PACS. There was a significant variation in the ratings of visibility among three radiologists (P < 0.01, Kendall's coefficient 0.75). Seawater vs freshwater category, bone length, and radiologist were significant factors that affected visibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity is 0.89. Images from seawater fish with long bones have better visibility. PACS is feasible in diagnosing upper esophagus fish bones, but the physician's knowledge of local varieties of fish prior to image study is equally important.
Wang
Yung-Cheng
YC
Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Huang
Yung-Chien
YC
Chang
Hsio-Yun
HY
Chang
Yen-Liang
YL
Chen
Chi-Jen
CJ
Wang
Pa-Chun
PC
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004947:Esophagus; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005399:Fishes; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017747:Seafood; D013552:Swine; D013624:Taiwan