Display method can affect interobserver agreement: comparison of 'zoom-and-pan' and 'browse-and-paste' for primary CT interpretation

Eight radiologists interpreted body CT images of 30 cases using a viewing s tation (six 17-in. monitors, 1024 x 1280). Using two different display meth ods, 'zoom-and-pan' and 'browse-and-paste', the readers described the prese nce or absence of liver tumors using a five-point rating scale and temporal changes between the current and previous studies using a seven-point rarin g scale. There was no significant difference in kappa values for tumor dete ction between the two display modes. However, in describing temporal change s, the kappa value of the browse-and-paste was significantly lower than tha t of zoom-and-pan (p < 0.01). Browse-and-paste may have the disadvantage of greater interobserver variation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.