Is This Radiograph Really Necessary?

While agreeing that overutilization of radiological diagnosis creates an unnecessary increase in both medical costs and patient exposure, the author calls for a more sensible and economical approach to the number of radiographs taken as part of any given study, noting that in many cases the number could be cut in half without any loss of diagnostic efficiency. By limiting the number of views per study, the radiologist would be able to remain in a safe medico-legal situation without reducing his ability to function as a diagnostician.