Initial Imaging for Adults With Maxillofacial Trauma in a National Claims Database

What are the prevalence and impact of low-value plain radiography use for initial imaging in adults with maxillofacial trauma?In this cohort study of 281 421 patients with maxillofacial trauma, 26% received low-value plain radiography as their initial imaging despite guideline recommendations favoring computed tomography (CT). Among patients receiving plain radiography, 6% required follow-up CT and 8% experienced delayed fracture diagnosis.Despite guideline recommendations favoring CT, low-value plain radiography remained common in facial trauma evaluation, highlighting opportunities to improve adherence to evidence-based imaging practices.

Corresponding Author: Kevin C. Chung, MD, MS, Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, 2130 Taubman Center, SPC 5340, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5340 (kecchung@med.umich.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.