Assessment of intraaxial and extraaxial brain lesions with digitized computed tomographic images versus film: ROC analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The authors evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of viewing computed tomographic (CT) scans as film versus soft-copy images at a workstation.


METHODS
Receiver operating characteristic analysis of the interpretation of 202 CT scans (103 were normal, 99 were abnormal) by five neuroradiologists was performed. Abnormal images contained high- or low-attenuation intraaxial lesions or extraaxial fluid (subdural, subarachnoid, or epidural hemorrhage). Hard copies were read on a standard light box, and digital images were examined at a 1,024 x 1,250 workstation. Lesion location and type and confidence ratings were recorded on a worksheet.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in diagnostic accuracy between the two display modes. Reader performance was slightly better with the workstation in the assessment of low-attenuation lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic accuracy is similar for CT scans displayed at a workstation and those displayed as hard copy in the assessment of subtle intra- and extraaxial brain lesions.
el-Saden
S M
SM
Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for the Health Sciences 90024-1721, USA.
Hademenos
G J
GJ
Zhu
W
W
Sayre
J W
JW
Glenn
B
B
Steidler
J
J
Kode
L
L
King
B
B
Quinones
D
D
Valentino
D J
DJ
Bentson
J R
JR
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D012372:ROC Curve; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*