Mistakes and dangers in urologic roentgen diagnosis

In the clarification of urologic disease pictures, the radiologist is expected not merely to cooperate narrowly with the clinician, but also to pursue invasive examination methods. Therein arise dangers for the patient. In no case should necessary examinations be omitted for fear of complications, but the knowledge of sources of error should lead to greater safety in indicated instances. Typical examples show which errors can appear and which dangers are involved in instrumentation, the use of contrast media, and the application of x-rays. It is agreed that the false interpretation of roentgen findings is a particular form of physician error. The risk of individual procedures can be further lowered only through the knowledge of errors and complications. (orig.)