Use of diagnostic imaging during the 1997 Canada Summer Games.

OBJECTIVE

To document use of diagnostic imaging during a multi-sport games to assist in planning for future such competitions.

METHODS

Medical records from the 1997 Canada Summer Games and from the Brandon General Hospital were reviewed. All uses of diagnostic imaging were compiled as were results of the imaging examinations. These data were correlated with demographic information.

RESULTS

A total of 80 imaging examinations were performed during the 1997 Canada Summer Games. These were mainly plain radiographs (n = 77), with two nuclear medicine examinations and one computed tomography (CT) scan. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were available but not used. Use of imaging examinations correlated well with the risk category of the sports, and was almost identical between female and male athletes; women accounted for 42.5% of the imaging examinations and 42.7% of the participants.

CONCLUSION

These data may be helpful in planning for other multi-sport competitions. The mix of sports is of greater predictive value than the ratio of female to male athletes when predicting the demand for diagnostic imaging services.