Assessment of Explicitly Stated Interval Change on Noncontrast Head CT Radiology Reports

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Consistent and standardized reporting of interval change for certain diagnoses may improve the clinical utility of radiology reports. The purpose of this study was to assess explicitly stated interval change of various findings in noncontrast head CT reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on successive noncontrast head CT radiology reports from the first 2 weeks of January 2014. Reports with at least 1 prior comparison CT scan were included. Reports with normal examination findings and those that made comparison with only other types of examinations (eg, MR imaging) were excluded. Descriptive and subgroup statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: In total, 200 patients with 230 reports and 979 radiographic findings were identified. The average interval between reports was 344.9 Ϯ 695.9 days (range, 0-3556 days). Interval change was mentioned 67.3% (n ϭ 659) of the time for all findings (n ϭ 979). Explicitly stated interval change was significantly associated with nonremote findings (P Ͻ .001) and generalized statements of interval change (P Ͻ .001). The proportion of interval change reported ranged from 95.3% of the time for hemorrhagic to 36.4% for soft-tissue/osseous categorizations. CONCLUSIONS: Interval change reporting was variable, mentioned for 67.3% of noncontrast head CT report findings with a prior comparison CT scan. Structured radiology reports may improve the consistent and clear reporting of interval change for certain findings.

Time for change? Radiologists highly concordant assessing change in stenoses on follow-up cervical spine MRI

“…28 Authors of this study suggested the use of structured radiology reports to improve interval change reporting on follow-up exams. 28 Such use of structured reporting has been endorsed to improve clarity and consistency of reporting between radiologists. [24][25][26]29 Standardized templates have been widely distributed through online resources, such as RadReports from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the foundation of which is based upon RadLex online indexing.…”

“…Lack of change assessment in our study (32% of reports) was similar to a recent retrospective review of 230 successive follow-up CT exams, which demonstrated absent interval change evaluation in approximately 33% of reports. 28 Authors of this study suggested the use of structured radiology reports to improve interval change reporting on follow-up exams. 28 Such use of structured reporting has been endorsed to improve clarity and consistency of reporting between radiologists.…”