EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING THE RANKI NG OF RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS IN RESPECT OF CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a scoring system and it s utility for the assessment of the clinical significance of radiologi cal examinations. Material and methods: The reports of all diagnostic studies obtained in patients with a clinical suspicion of pancreatitis , urinary tract obstruction, biliary or gallbladder diseases, ileus an d gastrointestinal perforation were scored prospectively in 4 categori es from 0 to 3. These categories were related to the ability to establ ish a definite diagnosis, to exclude suspected disease, to influence f urther diagnostic work-up and therapeutic decision-making. Results: Th is scoring system showed significant differences of the efficacy of di fferent imaging modalities in these 5 clinical settings. Conclusion: T his scoring system was helpful to determine the clinical significance of radiological examinations.