Errors in Acute Musculoskeletal Imaging

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are a common presenting reason for emergency department patients. A wide range of musculoskeletal pathologies are commonly encountered by emergency physicians and related clinicians, and by radiologists, including traumatic, infectious, inflammatory, and tumor-related emergencies. This chapter will review common potential errors in trauma radiology, including frequently missed fractures, as well as conditions which are radiographically occult, for which the radiologist should recommend a complementary imaging examination to confirm or refute a diagnosis.