The adequacy of fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal studies for suspected intestinal volvulus in a tertiary care centre vs. secondary centres: A regional multicentre study

Early diagnosis and treatment of intestinal volvulus are important to reduce morbidity. A fluoroscopic upper GI study is the gold standard for diagnosis and may be performed in a secondary or tertiary care centre prior to surgery. It is important the reporting radiologist is confident in the findings. We aim to assess whether there is any difference in confidence and study quality between paediatric and general radiologists who work in secondary or tertiary care centres.

Retrospective review of initial radiology reports and blinded review of the study images by paediatric radiologists.

A total of 277 children underwent a fluoroscopic study for intestinal volvulus over a four-year period. The majority were performed at a tertiary care centre, by paediatric radiologists. The confidence of initial reporting was higher in paediatric than general radiologists despite whether they worked in a secondary or tertiary care centre (P-value < 0.001). On retrospective review, studies performed by paediatric radiologists were rated as having a higher confidence in identifying the location of the duodenojejunal flexure. General radiologists tended to have a slightly higher rate of repeat studies but still low at 2.2%. Despite this, there was no significant difference in the diagnosis rates and secondary centre general radiologists excluded malrotation in 62% of studies likely reducing transfer rates.

Confidence in initial reporting and on review of the duodenojejunal flexure location in suspected intestinal volvulus is higher in paediatric radiologists compared with general radiologists, although diagnosis rates are no different.