Reinterpretation of cross-sectional images in patients with head and neck cancer in the setting of a multidisciplinary cancer center.
OBJECTIVE
Patients referred to tertiary care centers frequently arrive with images obtained at outside institutions; these images require reinterpretation. We assessed the clinical value of reinterpreting cross-sectional imaging studies of patients with head and neck cancer, in the setting of a multidisciplinary cancer center.


METHODS
Outside CT and MR images of 136 patients with known or presumed head and neck cancer were reinterpreted by a neuroradiologist. Clinical history and findings on physical examination were available. Reinterpretation was performed before review of outside reports, which were subsequently compared with those generated at the cancer center. Changes in interpretation were noted, and their effects on TNM staging, patient care, and prognosis were assessed. Reliability and statistical significance of rates of change in diagnosis were analyzed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the sign test, respectively. Verification of change in diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic analysis (75%), characteristic radiologic findings (18%), or clinical and imaging follow-up (7%).


RESULTS
Change in interpretation occurred in 56 patients (41%) (95% CI: 33-49%, P <.001). Forty-six patients (34%) had a change in T, N, and/or M staging (26-42%, P <.001). Change in T stage occurred in 27 cases (20%) (13-27%, P <.001) (upstaged in 22, downstaged in five), and a change in N stage in 26 cases (19%) (12-26%, P <.001) (upstaged in 20, downstaged in six). Two patients (1.5%) had missed systemic metastases. Three patients with an initial diagnosis of cancer were found to be cancer-free, and six patients had a diagnosis of new second primary cancers that were missed at original interpretation. One patient had a missed middle cerebral artery aneurysm. Changes in image interpretation altered treatment in 55 (98%) of 56 patients and affected prognosis in 53 patients (95%) (P <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Reinterpretation of cross-sectional images in the setting of a multidisciplinary cancer center has a significant effect on staging, management, and prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer.
Loevner
Laurie A
LA
Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Sonners
Adina I
AI
Schulman
Brian J
BJ
Slawek
Kerstin
K
Weber
Randal S
RS
Rosenthal
David I
DI
Moonis
Gul
G
Chalian
Ara A
AA
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015143:Philadelphia; D011331:Private Practice; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D011881:Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome