Radiology departments should include spinal fractures in their policies for alerts -- and the need is urgent. That's the view of the U.K. Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS), which has addressed the topic in a BBC News report.
Osteoporosis affects 3.5 million people in the U.K. and is associated with a high incidence of spinal fractures. When spinal fractures are identified, however, only 5.5% of reports are being recommended for further investigation, stated the ROS.
"This report shows that a simple process gap is preventing millions of people from getting the diagnosis they need," said Craig Jones, chief executive at the ROS.
The opportunity to diagnose spinal fractures exists when a patient is referred to imaging for any reason, and alerts provide a "ready-made opportunity" for radiology departments to identify patients with broken vertebrae who may require further investigation for osteoporosis, he added.
