Observer variation in bone lesion detection in thoraco-abdominal visceral CT images.
This study measured missed bone diagnosis on CT performed for lymph nodes or visceral spread of cancers and lymphomas. A bone-expert reading was compared to that of visceral-cancer oriented observers. From 100 examinations, 65% of bone abnormalities were not described by current reporting of cancer cases. Changes in windowing and contrast of the image produced large variations in CT readings. A slow search with different windowing decreases the false-negative ratio. A fast reading with invariable viewing parameters increases false interpretations, even for experienced radiologists.
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed