Findings and Faults of X-ray as an Only Imaging Tool in a Regional Hospital

Background: Radiology is the other wing of medical investigation with clinical pathology. Radiology has many modalities as X-ray, ultrasound, color Doppler, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and others. X-ray is one of the main radiological modalities and is considered a basic and initial diagnostic tool. It has its own role in basic scanning of chest diseases, diagnosis of bone fractures, many other pathologies and a very important role in the assessment of bone tumors. Although X-ray is a very important modality, it cannot be the only diagnostic imaging modality, especially in hospitals and secondary level healthcare centers. Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to assess the use of X-ray as the only diagnostic modality in Muli Regional Hospital, Meemu Atoll, Maldives in the absence of a radiology doctor and breakdown of an ultrasound machine. Patients and Methods: All X-ray films during the period of the study were viewed, and acquired data was recorded and analyzed. Results:  1808 cases had X-ray studies all over the duration of the study (10 months), 22% of them had an abnormality in their films. Chest X-ray was the most common modality, followed by UT scans. Conclusion: X-ray was used as the only imaging modality at Muli Regional Hospital. During the Normal studies are not a definite indicator that the case is normal. X-ray is not suitable to be the only diagnostic modality in any medical center as it has many limitations for diagnosis of many pathologies, especially emergencies.