Indications for Plain Radiographs in Uncomplicated Lower Extremity Cellulitis

Academic Radiology
John T StranixVishal Thanik

Abstract

Cellulitis is a common cause for emergency department (ED) presentation and subsequent hospital admission. Underlying fracture, osteomyelitis, or foreign body is often considered in the clinical evaluation of these patients. Accordingly, plain radiographs (XRs) of the affected extremity are often ordered during the initial work-up. The utility of these imaging studies in the treatment of uncomplicated lower-extremity cellulitis, however, remains unclear. In an effort to treat this common problem more efficiently, we evaluated our imaging practices and results in a cohort of consecutive patients admitted to a large public city hospital for treatment of uncomplicated lower-extremity cellulitis. Retrospective cohort study of 288 consecutive ED admissions for treatment of uncomplicated cellulitis, of which 214 met the inclusion criteria for this study. Patient demographics, history, vitals, laboratory values, and test results were evaluated with univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. XRs of the affected lower extremity were obtained in 158 patients (73.8%). Positive XR findings were present in 19 patients (12.0%) and positively correlated with a history of acute trauma to the extremity (P < .001) or the presence of a chr...Continue Reading

References

Apr 3, 2007·Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America·Robert B Blankenship, Todd Baker
Jul 30, 2008·Archives of Internal Medicine·Adam L HershRalph Gonzales
Aug 29, 2009·Skeletal Radiology·Marcin B TureckiLee F Rogers
Oct 1, 2009·Emerging Infectious Diseases·John EdelsbergGerry Oster
Aug 9, 2012·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Gokulan PhoenixMeera Joshi

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Citations

Apr 4, 2018·JAMA Internal Medicine·Lauren N KoDaniela Kroshinsky

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