Communication With the Radiologist

To the Editor.—  Today was typical. I read skull x-ray films of a patient with a diagnosis of bunions and films of the feet of a patient with nosebleeds. I appeal to my medical colleagues to communicate with their friendly radiologist. A few words of pertinent clinical information will permit a more reasoned analysis of roentgenograms.Some clinicians seem to think that a diagnosis arrived at in a vacuum is more reliable than otherwise. I promise not to be confused by the facts. It is sometimes difficult to judge the age or importance of isolated roentgenographic findings outside of the clinical setting, ie, abdominal calcification or atypical gas shadow, vertebral body compression, certain pulmonary densities, and bone infarcts. I hasten to add that many physicians are pleased to consult and cooperate for the common good. This letter is addressed to the silent minority.The x-ray film requisition form is available