TITLE:
The lateral neck radiograph for an impacted fish bone in the aero-digestive tract: Going back to basics
AUTHORS:
Dushyant Shetty, David AT Gay
KEYWORDS:
Digital Radiography; Radio-Opacity; Fish Bones
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering,
Vol.5 No.12A,
December
31,
2012
ABSTRACT:
Aim: To evaluate the radioopacity of fish bones
from a number of species using digital radiography in order to establish
whether advances in acquisition and interpretative techniques have affected the
radiologist’s ability to detect impacted fish bones. Methods: The bones from
six species of fish commonly consumed in the United Kingdom were radiographed
using a soft tissue neck phantom by means of a digital radiographic X-ray
tube. The images were looked at by 15 radiology consultants and registrars who
determined whether the bones were visible or not using General Electric (GE)
PACS workstations. Results: The radio-graphed bones from all six species of
fish were visible by all 15 (100%) radiology registrars and consultants.
Conclusion: Digital radiogramphy and modern PACS workstations have meant that
fish bones can be visualized irrespective of species. The lateral neck radiograph therefore may still have an important role in the investigation of
impacted fish bones in the aerodigestive tract.