Editor—With reference to the article by Zinn,1 radiologists and radiographers have a word for an unnecessary chest x ray film taken to assuage a vexatious patient's obsessive presumption of disease. The film is always normal and described as a “lucragram.” It is a nice little earner for all concerned.
Not nearly as big an earner as a whole body scan, however. These radiology entrepreneurial juggernauts have turned over phenomenal amounts by scaring punters into believing that they could have a life threatening disease lurking below their skin. Bring on even tougher legislation. Outlaw them altogether.
Competing interests: None declared.
References
- 1.Zinn C. New South Wales Cracks down on commercial scanning. BMJ 2003;326: 1350. (19 June.) [Google Scholar]