ArticlePediatric radiology2021
Clinical utility and economic impact of routine delayed follow-up radiographs in children with uncomplicated distal radius Salter-Harris 2 fractures.
Article in Pediatric radiology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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, 4 citations in OpenAlex.
- The Utility of Plain Radiography in Flexor Tendon and Digital Nerve Lacerations of the Hand.Journal of hand surgery global online · 2025Article
- Are Routine Post-Cast Removal Radiographs and a Second Follow-up Appointment Necessary in the Management of Nondisplaced or Minimally Displaced Distal Radius Fractures?Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America · 2025Article
- Billed charges are unsuitable for estimating economic impact of imaging studies and clinical services.Pediatric radiology · 2021Article
- 'Billed charges' as a measure of economic impact in follow-up radiographs: reply to Degnan.Pediatric radiology · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
- Commented on by
- Commented on by
Authors and funding
2 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSalter-Harris 2 fractures of the distal radius are common in pediatrics. Children with these fractures have a theoretical risk of developing a physeal bridge with subsequent growth disturbance.
objectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical utility and economic impact of obtaining routine delayed radiographs in asymptomatic patients with uncomplicated Salter-Harris 2 fractures of the distal radius. MATERIALS AND
methodsRadiology records were searched retrospectively between Jan. 1, 2016, and Jan. 1, 2018, to identify patients with an acute Salter-Harris type 2 fracture of the distal radius and delayed wrist radiography 3 to 8 months after the injury. Exclusion criteria included distal radius surgery, clinical symptoms, secondary wrist trauma or a history of infection. The financial cost associated with follow-up imaging was determined based on standard charges associated with wrist/forearm radiography, wrist magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and orthopedic clinical care.
resultsA total of 381 children with Salter-Harris 2 fractures of the distal radius and delayed radiographs were identified, 56% male (ages 1-18 years, mean: 9.8 years). Four children were excluded because of surgical intervention or clinical symptoms to the same wrist resulting in 377 subjects. There were five confirmed positive cases (1.3%) of distal radius physeal bridge formation, with four cases confirmed on MRI and one case confirmed clinically and radiographically. Based on routine institutional charges for the wrist/forearm radiographs and orthopedic clinic visits, the total billed charges for the 377 patients would equal $245,804, or $49,161 in billed charges per identified physeal bridge. Only three of the five positive cases of confirmed physeal bridge went on to surgical treatment. The billed charges per identified physeal bridge requiring surgery were $81,935.
conclusionIn asymptomatic children with uncomplicated Salter-Harris 2 fractures of the distal radius, detection of a physeal bridge on delayed radiographs is rare. The financial burden of routine delayed follow-up in asymptomatic patients, a common clinical practice, is an important consideration.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What 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.