Digital radiography in the diagnosis of Toddler's fracture.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of digital imaging in the diagnosis of toddler's fractures.

METHODS: Medical records for a 9.4-year period were reviewed to locate children whose initial radiographs were interpreted as normal by a pediatric radiologist and whose subsequent bone scans or follow-up radiographs showed toddler's fractures. Radiographs from these children (ie, positive controls) and from children without toddler's fractures (ie, negative controls) were digitized to create a film bank that was reviewed by a panel of 14 physicians with various medical backgrounds. Medical records were reviewed for demographic information, findings on history and physical examination, and radiographic and laboratory tests.

RESULTS: Pediatric radiology physicians correctly diagnosed 73.2 +/- 5.4% of the digitized images, as compared with pediatric emergency physicians, 66.7 +/- 6.5% and residents/fellows, 57.1 +/- 6.9%.

CONCLUSION: Digitized images may be helpful in evaluating limping children with suspected toddler's fractures, possibly eliminating the need for further diagnostic studies.