• C A Cappelle, S Eberly, and R I Paul.
• Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Kentucky.
• Ann Emerg Med. 1993 Oct 1; 22 (10): 1541-4.

Study ObjectivesTo determine the frequency of radiopaque items found in radiologic screening of Halloween candy and to determine the possibility of missing a small item.DesignProspective observational study on Halloween night, 1992. Data were collected from area medical centers that were screening Halloween candy. The ability to detect small sharp items was tested at five centers.SettingFive hospitals and three immediate care centers.ParticipantsFour hundred fifty-four bags of candy were screened.ResultsNo unknown radiopaque items were discovered. One of five centers tested for accuracy failed to detect a small radiopaque item. Only one hospital required parents to sign a waiver of liability. The immediate care centers recorded patients' names; the other hospitals kept no record of the names of children whose bags were screened. No physicians viewed the radiographs or fluoroscopy.ConclusionThe routine radiologic screening of Halloween candy has an extremely low yield in detecting radiopaque items.

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