Authors: Stuart A Taylor Steve Halligan David Burling Simon Morley Paul Bassett Wendy Atkin Clive I Bartram
Publish Date: 2004/02/10
Volume: 14, Issue: 6, Pages: 1025-1033
Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effect of radiologist experience and increasing exposure to CT colonography on reader performance Three radiologists of differing general experience consultant research fellow trainee independently analysed 100 CT colonographic datasets Readers had no prior experience of CT colonography and received feedback and training after the first 50 cases from an independent experienced radiologist Diagnostic performance and reporting times were compared for the first and second 50 datasets and compared with the results of a radiologist experienced in CT colonography Before training only the consultant reader achieved statistical equivalence with the reference standard for detection of larger polyps After training detection rates ranged between 25 and 58 for larger polyps Only the trainee significantly improved after training P=0007 with performance of other readers unchanged or even worse Reporting times following training were reduced significantly for the consultant and fellow P0001 and P=003 respectively but increased for the trainee P0001 In comparison to the consultant reader the odds of detection of larger polyps was 036 CI 016 082 for the fellow and 036 CI 014 091 for the trainee There is considerable variation in the ability to report CT colonography Prior experience in gastrointestinal radiology is a distinct advantage Competence cannot be assumed even after directed training via a database of 50 cases
Keywords: