A 5-year review of a pitch side radiology unit at an international sports stadium.

BACKGROUND: The increased strength and conditioning of elite athletes has led to greater potential for high impact injuries. With increasing concerns for player welfare, the decision to return to play after sustaining an on-field injury is complex.

AIM: Review of a 5-year experience of a pitch side radiology unit (PSRU) at a large international sports stadium.

METHODS: X-rays were acquired in a purpose built pitch side radiology unit (PSRU) within a large international sports stadium (Aviva Stadium) using a mobile digital X-ray unit. All x-rays were performed at the Aviva stadium's PSRU from October 2012 to March 2018.

RESULTS: From October 2012 to March 2018, 89 competitive sport matches were held at the international sports stadium. 43/89 (48%) matches required the PSRU, with rugby matches having the highest utilization rates (34/47, 72.3%). In 89 matches, a total of 79 x-rays were performed (0.89 x-rays/match). The highest percentage of sports players undergoing imaging was rugby players (70/79, 88.6%). Overall, the majority of x-rays were of the upper limbs (49/79, 62.0%) and lower limbs (25/79, 31.6%). 17/79 (21.5%) x-rays demonstrated an acute bony injury, 15/17 (88%) of which were rugby players.

CONCLUSION: The PSRU at the Aviva international sports stadium is well utilized and allows for a rapid diagnosis of osseous injuries sustained on the field of play. It provides a useful adjunct to the pitch side clinical assessment by medical staff. It provides a privacy and strategic advantage to players compared with hospital-based services. Consideration should be given to installing similar PSRUs at major sports stadiums around the world.