The most typical mistakes made during pelvic X-ray in pediatric patients typical mistakes made during pelvic X-ray

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to identify the most common mistakes made during pelvic radiography in pediatric patients and to give advice to physicians and technicians on how to avoid these mistakes. Material and Method:Between 2016 and 2020, 1150 pelvic radiographs (in pediatric patients for any reason) were analyzed by two independent orthopaedic surgeons. Radiographs taken in trauma patients were not included in the study due to the patient's discomfort and agitation. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability for radiographic measurements were determined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) obtained from three replicate sets of measurements on a sample of 1150 radiographs recorded by each observer at least one week apart. Results: The mean age of the patients included in this study was 4.28±3.86 (range: 0-14) years. Of the 1150 patients, 935 (81.30%) were female and 215 (18.69%) were male. When pediatric pelvic radiographs were evaluated, the most common mistake was made during gonad protection. It was found that 71.22% of the patients' gonads could not be protected. While this rate was 82.24% in female patients, this rate was 23.34% in male patients. There was a statistically significant difference when compared by gender (p= 0.015). Giving the malposition was the second most common mistake. Conclusion: The most common errors in pediatric pelvic radiographs are failure to provide gonad protection and malposition of the patient. To minimize these errors, it is necessary to inform both the doctor and the technician.