Recent Trends in Utilization Rates of Abdominal Imaging: The Relative Roles of Radiologists and Nonradiologist Physicians

In recent years, the increase in the utilization rate of abdominal imaging among the Medicare population was relatively moderate (25% over 9 years). There was a substantial increase in the use of computed tomography and computed tomographic angiography and a smaller increase in the use of ultrasound. The use of plain radiography and gastrointestinal fluoroscopy declined. Radiologists strongly predominate in abdominal imaging, and this may be one reason why growth has been modest.