Cause analysis of missing diagnosis for vertebral fracture on lateral chest radiography

Objective To analyze the cause of missing diagnosis for vertebral fracture on lateral chest radiography. Methods Lateral chest radiographies of 1638 hospitalized patients (871 males and 767 females) were retrospectively reviewed for identifying vertebral fractures. Their ages ranged from 50 to 91 years with the mean of 63.5 years. Complains and application for chest radiography in all patients were not related to osteoporosis and vertebral fracture. Vertebral fracture and fracture severity were evaluated using Genant's semiquantitative visual method, taking approximately a 20%-25% vertebral height reduction as mild grade,26%-40% as moderate grade and 41% or greater as severe grade. Evaluation results of the vertebral fracture, original X-ray reports, as well as medical records were compared for further analysis. Results Eighty-four in 1638 patients showed vertebral fractures on the lateral chest radiographies. Of them,vertebral fractures were reported in 30 cases and 54 patients were not reported on their original X-ray reports. There were 63 vertebral fractures in 54 un-reported patients, most of which were single fracture (75% or 47/63). Grade Ⅰ fracture accounted for 54% (34/63), Grade Ⅱ fracture 33% (21/63), while 13% presented grade Ⅲ fracture (8/63). In all 84 patients with vertebral fractures, only 5 cases (6%)underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement, 5 cases ( 6% ) were recorded to have vertebral fractures on the medical papers, as well as 15 cases ( 18% ) were prescribed drugs related to the osteoporosis when discharged from hospital All drugs prescribed for the 15 patients were limited only to calcium. Conclusions More attention should be paid to osteoporosis by doctors including radiologists.Vertebral fracture on lateral chest radiography should be completely diagnosed, which is helpful for both prevention and treatment. Key words: Spinal fractures;  Osteoporosis;  Radiography,thoracic