Value of second-opinion review of outside institution PET-CT examinations Journal Article
| Authors: | Ulaner, G. A.; Mannelli, L.; Dunphy, M. |
| Article Title: | Value of second-opinion review of outside institution PET-CT examinations |
| Abstract: | Objective This study aimed to determine whether second-opinion reviews of PET/CT examinations by subspecialists alter reporting of malignant findings. Materials and methods This IRB-approved study compared 240 fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT consecutively dictated reports by two nuclear medicine subspecialists against the original outside institution reports. Subspecialist reviews documented whether malignant findings on the outside report were malignant and noted additional malignant findings not described on the outside report. The final diagnosis of malignancy or benignity was determined by pathology when available, otherwise by imaging follow-up. Results A total of 22 findings (in 20 reports) called suspicious/malignant on the outside reports were deemed benign by subspecialist review. A final diagnosis was available for 20 of 22 findings by pathology (n=3) or follow-up imaging (n=17). The subspecialist review was accurate in 20 (100%) of 20 cases where a final diagnosis was available. The subspecialist review called 11 findings (in 11 reports) suspicious/malignant that were not described or deemed benign on the outside reports. Definitive diagnosis was available for 10 of 11 findings by pathology (n=7) or follow-up imaging (n=3). The second-opinion report was accurate in seven (70%) of 10 cases where a final diagnosis was available. Conclusion In 31 (13%) of 240 fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT examinations performed at an outside institution, subspecialist review resulted in at least one discordant opinion of malignancy. For 28 discrepant cases where a final diagnosis was available, the subspecialist review defined malignancy or benignity correctly in 25 (89%) of 28 cases. This provides evidence for the cost and effort invested in performing second-opinion reviews of PET/CT studies. © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. |
| Keywords: | adolescent; adult; child; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; young adult; prospective study; prospective studies; radiopharmaceuticals; neoplasm; neoplasms; diagnostic imaging; diagnostic errors; fluorodeoxyglucose f 18; fluorodeoxyglucose f18; radiopharmaceutical agent; diagnostic error; referral and consultation; nuclear medicine; patient referral; pet/ct; 18f-fdg; second opinion; very elderly; humans; human; male; female; positron emission tomography-computed tomography; positron emission tomography computed tomography |
| Journal Title: | Nuclear Medicine Communications |
| Volume: | 38 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 0143-3636 |
| Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
| Date Published: | 2017-04-01 |
| Start Page: | 306 |
| End Page: | 311 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1097/mnm.0000000000000647 |
| PUBMED: | 28291158 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC5354085 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Review -- Export Date: 3 April 2017 -- Source: Scopus |
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