Prevalence and variability in reporting of clinically actionable incidental findings on attenuation-correction CT scans in a veteran population

Abstract

Incidental noncardiac findings on CTACs are common in our veteran population. Overall interobserver agreement in identifying these findings between cardiologists and radiologists is fair. Specific guidelines are needed on how CTACs should be read and reported.

Pulmonary nodules incidentally detected on attenuation-correction CT scans in MPI

“…We agree with the conclusions of He et al 1 regarding the need for a greater degree of training for specialists primarily aligned with adult internal medicine, rather than radiology, to ensure appropriate reporting of important incidental findings on attenuation-correction CT images in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). In Australia, MPI studies are reported by Nuclear Medicine specialists who are accredited by the Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists (AANMS).…”

Incidental findings on hybrid SPECT-CT and PET-CT scanners: Is it time for new training and reporting guidelines?

“…Images were acquired at 2. 5 thickness, 120kEV and 200 mA using a 50-cm field of view, and subsequently analyzed on a dedicated CT workstation (GE AW4.4). All CT images were read by a board-certified radiologist using standard soft tissue, lung, and bone windows.…”

“…The above discussion brings us to the latest study by He et al in which consecutive SPECT-CT MPI studies over an 8-month period were analyzed for noncardiac findings. 5 Both 16-and 64-slice CT scanners were used with 120KeV and 30-60 mA. Images were acquired with 3.8 (PET-CT) or 5 mm (SPECT-CT) slices.…”

Reply to letter to the editor regarding “prevalence and variability in reporting of clinically actionable incidental findings on attenuation-correction CT scans in a veteran population”

“…Lee and Delaney's thoughtful comments regarding our article ''Prevalence and Variability in Reporting of Clinically Actionable Incidental Findings on Attenuation-Correction CT Scans in A Veteran Population''. 1 The primary finding from our project was that clinically significant incidental findings on CTACs are common, and there is considerable interobserver disagreement between cardiology-trained and radiology-trained physicians in identifying them, especially for pulmonary nodules. We completely agree that this discordance represents an important gap in our current practice and warrants initiatives to assure adequate training requirements and reporting standards for interpreting CTACs.…”