Structured Reporting of Whole-Body Trauma CT Scans Using Checklists: Diagnostic Accuracy of Reporting Radiologists Depending on Their Level of Experience

Abstract

Purpose â Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of a checklist-style structured reporting template in the setting of whole-body multislice computed tomography in major trauma patients depending on the level of experience of the reporting radiologist. Materials and Methods â A total of 140 major trauma scans with the same protocol were included in this retrospective study. In a purely trial-intended reading, the trauma scans were analyzed by three radiologists with different levels of experience (resident, radiologist with 3 years of experience after board certification, and radiologist with 7 years of experience after board certification). The aim was to fill in the checklist 1 template within one minute to immediately diagnose management-Altering findings. Checklist 2 was intended for the analysis of important trauma-related findings within 10 minutes. Reading times were documented. The final radiology report and the documented injuries in the patient's medical record were used as gold standard. Results â The evaluation of checklist 1 showed a range of false-negative reports between 5.0-% and 11.4-% with the resident showing the highest accuracy. Checklist 2 showed overall high diagnostic inaccuracy (19.3-35.0-%). The resident's diagnostic accuracy was statistically significantly higher compared to the radiologist with 3 years of experience after board certification (p-=-0.0197) and with 7 years of experience after board certification (p-=-0.0046). Shorter average reporting time resulted in higher diagnostic inaccuracy. Most of the missed diagnoses were fractures of the spine and ribs. Conclusion â By using a structured reporting template in the setting of major trauma computed tomography, less experienced radiologists reach a higher diagnostic accuracy compared to experienced readers. Key Points: â In the setting of a pure trial reading, the diagnostic inaccuracy of template-based reporting of major trauma CT examinations is high. Fractures in general and especially of the vertebral bodies and ribs were the most commonly missed diagnoses. In a study setting, less experienced radiologists seem to reach a higher diagnostic accuracy when using a structured reporting approach. Citation Format Dendl LM, Pausch AM, Hoffstetter P et-Al. Structured Reporting of Whole-Body Trauma CT Scans Using Checklists: Diagnostic Accuracy of Reporting Radiologists Depending on Their Level of Experience. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 1451-1460.