Uo. Aideyan et al., INFLUENCE OF PRIOR RADIOLOGIC INFORMATION ON THE INTERPRETATION OF RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATIONS, Academic radiology, 2(3), 1995, pp. 205-208
Rationale and Objectives. We examined whether and how the provision of
previous radiologic information (previous films and reports) influenc
es the interpretation of radiographs. Methods. We prospectively studie
d 35 radiologists' interpretation of 311 plain-film radiology cases in
a clinical setting. A radiologist first interpreted the current radio
graph with only the information given on the consultation request. Sub
sequently, the same radiologist received, in random order, either the
previous radiographs or the previous written reports, reviewed the dia
gnosis, changing it when necessary, noted the recognition of new findi
ngs, and adjusted his or her degree of confidence. A third interpretat
ion used whichever type of information was not supplied for the second
. All three readings of a study were performed at the same sitting by
the same radiologist. A diagnosis and degree of confidence were record
ed for each reading. Results. The additional information, either radio
graph or written report, significantly increased the confidence of the
radiologist at each stage of interpretation. The largest increase in
confidence occurred whenever previous films were introduced. In group
A (second reading, reports; third reading, old films), new observation
s were made in 17.3% of cases on the second reading and in 19.9% on th
e third reading. In this group, diagnoses were changed in 14% on the s
econd reading and in 9% on the third reading. In group B (second readi
ng, old films; third reading, old reports), new observations were made
in 16.9% of cases on the second reading and 7.3% on the third reading
. Diagnoses were changed in 11% on the second reading and in an additi
onal 5% on the third reading. Most changes were toward a more specific
diagnosis. Conclusion. Prior information significantly increased the
radiologists' confidence, facilitated new observations, and allowed mo
re specific diagnoses. Prior radiographs were more valuable than repor
ts in some respects.