ArticleLa Radiologia medica2013
Inappropriateness of breast imaging: cost analysis.
Article in La Radiologia medica, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Cost of Low-Value Imaging Worldwide: A Systematic Review.Applied health economics and health policy · 2024Pooled it
- A longitudinal observational study of male referrals and adherence to imaging guidelines: a single centre experience in 148 patients.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Article
- Measuring appropriateness of diagnostic imaging: a scoping review.Insights into imaging · 2023Article
- Secondary prevention at 360°: the important role of diagnostic imaging.La Radiologia medica · 2015Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeThe aim of this study was to assess how an incorrect indication for an examination may affect the diagnostic workup and diagnosis as well as healthcare expenditure. MATERIALS AND
methodsWe considered all the requests for breast imaging (mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) received by our radiology department between October 2010 and December 2010, and assessed their appropriateness based on the patient's age and the clinical question, if present. We then analysed the unnecessary costs resulting from inappropriate requests.
resultsOut of a total of 1500 requests for ultrasound examination, the request was appropriate in 855 (57%) cases; out of a total of 2350 requests for mammography, the request was appropriate in 493 (21%) cases; out of a total of 100 requests for magnetic resonance imaging, the request was appropriate in 83 (83%) cases. The cost deriving from inappropriate requests was 51,235.04 Euros.
conclusionsImproving the timeliness of diagnosis is an important goal to be pursued by enhancing the available health services, improving communication and coordination of the different professionals involved and optimising diagnostic pathways in order to reduce healthcare spending.
Indexed as
Identifiers
23801396What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.