Direct Measurement of the Effect of Film Miniaturization on Diagnostic Accuracy

Abstract

A method for directly measuring the reduction in diagnostic accuracy incurred by altering original radiographs was applied to evaluate a 35 mm film system. A total of 4,290 readings of 2,145 proved cases were collected. Analysis of the results indicate that the 35 mm system reduced diagnostic accuracy by about 2.3% +/- 2.4% at a 95% confidence level. The same method can be used to evaluate other photographic reduction systems, television displays, enhancement schemes, or even the importance of clinical data in roentgenographic interpretation.

Anatomia Del Error en Radiologia

“…Los exámenes leídos incorrectamente tenían un promedio de 147 segundos y, los leídos en forma correcta, 113 segundos. En este caso debemos pensar que las imágenes deben ser analizadas en el tiempo suficiente para hacer el diagnóstico y no más (18)(19)(20) . Informar solo un hallazgo y no todos: Otro elemento que influye en el error de percepción es informar un solo hallazgo en exámenes que tienen mas de uno.…”

Malpractice and radiologists, update 1986: an 11.5-year perspective

“…The published data [2][3][4][5][6] that document the number of significant errors committed by well-trained, competent radiologists is astonishing. Table 9 summarizes these studies.…”

“…Table 9 summarizes these studies. From the pioneering work of Garland [2] in 1949, who found a nearly 20% error rate and a 50% disagreement rate among radiologists, through the classic work of Yerushalmy [4] 1969, who showed a 30% error rate, to the most recently published studies of Lehr et al [6] That this (high error rate) should happen to amateurs is accepted, but that it should happen to experts is now for the first time thoroughly proved statistically." Can error rates be lowered?…”

“…The facts, however, dispute this. In an exhaustive study of error rates in 2000 cases, Lehr et al [6] found that experience had little to do with accuracy.…”

“…Logic also suggests that lengthening the time spent interpreting a radiograph will increase accuracy, but Lehr et al [6] found just the opposite.…”