Boston Children’s Beate Beinvogl, MD, asked 25 gastroenterologists about 71 pediatric patients with suspected or known functional constipation. She asked their main reasons for obtaining an abdominal radiograph, and if the providers had management plans in mind before ordering the procedure.
Here’s what she found.
1. Of respondents, 70.4 percent used radiographs to assess stool burden.
2. Others (35.2 percent) cited they needed radiographs for cleanout purposes related to fecal impaction (26.8 percent) and abdominal pain evaluation (23.9 percent).
3. Sixty-nine percent of clinicians said they had treatment plans in mind before ordering radiographs.
4. Two-thirds of physicians developed treatment plans with a radiologists’ help, 33.8 percent relied on a radiologist alone.
5. Of the respondents, 81.7 percent said a radiograph was helpful when making a diagnosis.
The researchers found low correlation between stool burden and X-Ray findings. For 39.7 percent of patients, the burdens were as the providers expected. The burdens were worse in 39.7 percent of patients and better in 20.6 percent of patients.
Researchers noted radiograph had an impact on patient care as 47.6 percent implemented or changed care plans based on findings.
The researchers concluded providers should order radiographs in specific circumstances like with suspected fecal impaction.
More articles on gastroenterology/endoscopy:
GI leader to know: Dr. Mark Pochapin of NYU Langone Medical Center
11 statistics and benchmarks for gastroenterology in ASCs
GI leader to know: Dr. Dermot McGovern of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
