USEFULNESS OF X-RAYS IN THE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH PAINS OF THE UPPER LIMB
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Conventional X-ray imaging is widely available in Nigeria and is commonly used for evaluating musculoskeletal complaints, including upper-limb pain.
Purpose: To determine the usefulness of X-rays in assessing upper-limb pain, in terms of contribution to diagnosis, cost, patient care, management, and the value of different radiographic views.
Materials and Methods: A judgmental, non-probability sampling approach was used. A total of 247 radiographs were selected based on request forms and radiologist reports. Results were analyzed in terms of contribution to diagnosis, therapeutic decisions, and patient care, with comparison to 72 computed tomography (CT) scans of similar cases.
Results: Conventional X-rays contributed 47.70% to therapeutic decision-making and patient management. Among radiographic views, the oblique view had the highest positive outcome (51.50%), followed by posterior-anterior (27.14%) and lateral views (22.16%). CT scans improved diagnostic yield, showing 68.06% of cases accurately diagnosed as pain from trauma, spondylosis, osteomyelitis, or disc space narrowing, enhancing therapeutic decisions and patient care.
Conclusion: While conventional X-rays remain useful, CT and other imaging modalities should supplement X-ray examinations for upper-limb pain to improve diagnostic accuracy and support effective patient management.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles in JRRS are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
How to Cite
References
Singh, I. Textbook of Human Neuroanatomy. 5th ed. Daryagang: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 1997. p. 1.
Osim, E.E. Neurophysiology. Calabar: Helimo Associates; 2003. p. 1–37.
Eno, A.E. Physiology of the Central Nervous System. Calabar: Nku-Ubia Ventures Ltd.; 2003. p. 1–21.
Adams, R.D. Principles of Neurology. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1997.
Graham, D.I., Lantos, P.L. Greenfield’s Neuropathology. 6th ed. Great Britain: Arnold; 1997. p. 583.
Buttler, P., Mitchell, A.W.M., Ellis, H. Applied Radiological Anatomy. Cambridge; 1999. p. 331–349.
Clark, C.R. Degenerative conditions of the spine: Differential diagnosis and non-surgical treatment. In: Adult Spine: Principles and Practice. J.W. Frymoyer; 1991.
Clark, K.C. Positioning in Radiography. Vol. 1, 9th ed. Ilford & William Heinemann Medical Books Ltd.; 1982.
Carter, P.H. Chesney’s Equipment for Student Radiographers. U.K.: Blackwell Publishing; 1994. p. 193–208.
Attah, E.B. Human Pathology: A Complete Text for Africa. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press; 2000. p. 193–291.
Sutton, D., Young, J.H.R. A Concise Textbook of Clinical Imaging. 2nd ed. Missouri: Mosby-Year Book Inc.; 1995. p. 747.