The lateral neck radiograph for an impacted fish bone in the aero-digestive tract: Going back to basics

Aim: To evaluate the radio-opacity of fish bones from a number of species using digital radiography in order to establish whether advances in acquisition and interpretative techniques have affected the radiologist’s ability to detect impacted fish bones. Methods: The bones from six species of fish commonly consumed in the United Kingdom were radiographed using a soft tissue neck phantom by means of a digital radiographic X-ray tube. The images were looked at by 15 radiology consultants and registrars who determined whether the bones were visible or not using General Electric (GE) PACS workstations. Results: The radiographed bones from all six species of fish were visible by all 15 (100%) radiology registrars and consultants. Conclusion: Digital radiogramphy and modern PACS workstations have meant that fish bones can be visualized irrespective of species. The lateral neck radiograph therefore may still have an important role in the investigation of impacted fish bones in the aerodigestive tract.