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Diagnostic errors in polytrauma: a structured review of the recent literature

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Abstract

Clinically important diagnostic errors are relatively common among polytrauma patients (2–40%). Errors are not random; they are more frequent in the spine and periarticular appendicular skeleton, especially in hemodynamically unstable patients who require resuscitation or operative intervention before completion of secondary or tertiary clinical survey. Misleading history, distracting findings, and misjudgments all contribute to risks of diagnostic errors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Avenue, Box 359728, Seattle, WA, 98104-2499, USA

    Luana Stanescu, Lee B. Talner & Frederick A. Mann

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  1. Luana Stanescu
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  2. Lee B. Talner
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  3. Frederick A. Mann
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Stanescu, L., Talner, L.B. & Mann, F.A. Diagnostic errors in polytrauma: a structured review of the recent literature. Emerg Radiol 12, 119–123 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-005-0436-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-005-0436-x

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