Interpreting office radiographs. A guide to systematic evaluation

Office radiographs are important diagnostic tools for most family physicians, and most family physicians believe that they should be capable of interpreting 90% of these films without referral to a radiologist. Optimal use of these radiographs requires that patients are appropriately selected, that the examination is adequately conducted, and that the films are accurately interpreted. Interpretive accuracy is enhanced if radiographs are analyzed by physicians skilled in observing and interpreting them and if the images are examined in a logical, systematic manner to minimize observer bias. A systematic search pattern is proposed to facilitate family physicians' interpretations for the most common office radiographs: chest, extremities, abdomen, skull, and spine.