Second-Opinion Interpretations of Gynecologic Oncologic MRI Examinations by Sub-Specialized Radiologists Influence Patient Care. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • PURPOSE: To determine if second-opinion review of gynaecologic oncologic (GynOnc) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by sub-specialized radiologists impacts patient care. METHODS: 469 second-opinion MRI interpretations rendered by GynOnc radiologists were retrospectively compared to the initial outside reports. Two gynaecologic surgeons, blinded to the reports' origins, reviewed all cases with discrepancies between initial and second-opinion MRI reports and recorded whether these discrepancies would have led to a change in patient management defined as a change in treatment approach, counselling, or referral. Histopathology or minimum 6-month imaging follow-up were used to establish the diagnosis. RESULTS: Second-opinion review of GynOnc MRIs would theoretically have affected management in 94/469 (20 %) and 101/469 (21.5 %) patients for surgeons 1 and 2, respectively. Specifically, second-opinion review would have theoretically altered treatment approach in 71/469 (15.1 %) and 60/469 (12.8 %) patients for surgeons 1 and 2, respectively. According to surgeons 1 and 2, these treatment changes would have prevented unnecessary surgery in 35 (7.5 %) and 31 (6.6 %) patients, respectively, and changed surgical procedure type/extent in 19 (4.1 %) and 12 (2.5 %) patients, respectively. Second-opinion interpretations were correct in 103 (83 %) of 124 cases with clinically relevant discrepancies between initial and second-opinion reports. CONCLUSIONS: Expert second-opinion review of GynOnc MRI influences patient care. KEY POINTS: • Outside gynaecologic oncologic MRI examinations are often submitted for a second-opinion review. • One-fifth of MRIs had important discrepancies between initial and second-opinion interpretations. • Second-opinion review of gynaecologic oncologic MRI is a valuable clinical service.

publication date

  • October 22, 2015

Research

keywords

  • Genital Neoplasms, Female
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Patient Care
  • Radiologists
  • Referral and Consultation

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC5527327

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84944929664

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s00330-015-4040-5

PubMed ID

  • 26494640

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 26

issue

  • 7