Characteristics of missed lung cancer on chest radiographs: a French experience

The purpose of this study was to report 30 cases of missed lung cancers and describe characteristics of each case. Reasons for misdiagnosis were analy zed from the report. Each radiograph was subsequently reviewed by a panel o f two experts who quantified several parameters regarding image analysis an d film quality. Lesions were not described in 67 % of the cases and were mi sinterpreted as benign processes in 33 % of cases. Comparison to previous c hest radiographs and clinical information were seldom available on the repo rt. Size of the lesions varied between 1 and 7 cm, location was primarily a pical and paramediastinal, normal anatomy was highly or moderately complex in 87 %, and distracting lesions were present in 63 % of the cases. Image q uality was considered perfect in 3 cases only. Among all the factors respon sible for missed lung cancer, certain factors can be improved as film quali ty, comparison with previous radiographs, and better awareness of clinical information.