Abstract
Findings of routine, periodic, medical examinations of approximately 5000 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) career personnel, included a screening postero-anterior chest radiograph were reviewed. Previous studies have indicated low efficacy of routine chest X-rays in various populations. We evaluated this screening test among 4593 career military personnel. Their chest X-rays were reviewed retrospectively and in 186 (4%) there were abnormal findings. The rate of pathological findings was positively correlated with age. Additional information was found in the X-rays of 25 subjects (0.54%), but the original interpretations of 51 (1.1%) were found to be false-positive. In view of the very low yield of findings in routine chest X-rays of IDF career military personnel, we recommend X-ray screening only in high-risk populations and subjects over the age of 50.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 361-366, 438 |
Journal | Harefuah |
Volume | 130 |
Issue number | 6 |
State | Published - 15 Mar 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |