Skull X-rays in minor head injury. A review of their use and interpretation by casualty officers.

A retrospective review of the value of skull X-rays in the management of 1379 patients presenting to an accident and emergency department with minor head injuries was made. Ten skull fractures were identified in this group (an incidence of 0.7%) of which only four were identified by the casualty officer, the remainder being subsequently identified by the radiologist. Some 90 per cent of patients had no history of concussion, and 33 per cent had no external evidence of head injury. All patients with fractures were admitted because of clinical criteria so that skull X-rays played no part in determining whether patients were admitted for observation or not. Only one patient required operative intervention for a compound depressed fracture, and no patient developed an intracranial haematoma. It is concluded that there is need to educate casualty officers on the indications for, and interpretation of skull X-rays. It is hoped that this might decrease the cost to the Health Service of needless skull X-rays, without detriment to the standards of patient care.