To the Editor: Like Schattner, I am appalled by the attitude to diagnosis displayed by Wong regarding the use of computed tomography (CT) scanning in preference to initial history-taking and physical examination in abdominal pain.1 Unfortunately, this approach is becoming increasingly more prevalent among junior staff (and even among some senior staff).
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- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA.
Correspondence: richard.mendelson@health.wa.gov.au
- 1. Wong K. Clinical paradigms revisited [letter; with reply by A Schattner]. Med J Aust 2006; 185: 671-672. <MJA full text>
- 2. Leslie A, Jones A, Goddard P. The influence of clinical information on the reporting of CT by radiologists. Br J Radiol 2000; 73: 1052-1055.
- 3. 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Annals of the ICRP. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1991. (ICRP Publication No. 60.)
- 4. Berrington de Gonzalez A, Darby S. Risk of cancer from diagnostic x-rays: estimates for the UK and 14 other countries. Lancet 2004; 363: 345-351.
- 5. Lambert M, Villa M. Gynecologic ultrasound in emergency medicine. Emerg Med Clin North Am 2004; 22: 683-696.
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