title: Reinterpretation of radiological findings in oesophago-gastric multidisciplinary meetings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to objectively evaluate the clinical impact and significance of the multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) in the management of oesophago-gastric malignancies in a tertiary institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was designed to examine the role of MDT in the interpretation of computerized tomography (CT) scans in oesophago-gastric malignancies. The MDT reporting of CT scans were compared with the 'pre-meeting' formal report of the scans. 'Pre-meeting' CT reports are provided by internal institutional or independent radiologist. The frequency and significance of any reporting variance is examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 34 patients discussed, 13 patients (38%) had variations to the formal radiological report. This led a modification of disease stage in seven patients (21%) and change in diagnosis in three patients (9%). This had a major impact in nine patients (26%) of which seven patients (24%) had modification in treatment as a result of imaging reinterpretation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides preliminary quantative evidence of the utility and importance of the MDT process in the management of oesophago-gastric malignancies. This has potential significant implications for basing patient treatment on isolated reports outside of MDT and supports this process as a standard of care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Upper GI Surgery, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Hou-Kiat
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Upper GI Surgery, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter Noel
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Stiven
authors.affiliation: Department of Upper GI Surgery, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aly
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: clinical impact and significance; diagnostic imaging; gastrointestinal neoplasm; multidisciplinary meeting