TY - JOUR

T1 - Influence of Prior Imaging Information on Diagnostic Accuracy for Focal Skeletal Processes — A Retrospective Analysis of the Consistency between Biopsy-Verified Imaging Diagnoses

AU - Lange, Mine Benedicte

AU - Petersen, Lars J.

AU - Lausen, Mads

AU - Bruun, Niels Henrik

AU - Nielsen, Michael Bachmann

AU - Zacho, Helle D.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Introduction: Comparing imaging examinations with those previously obtained is considered mandatory in imaging guidelines. To our knowledge, no studies are available on neither the influence, nor the sequence, of prior imaging and reports on diagnostic accuracy using biopsy as the reference standard. Such data are important to minimize diagnostic errors and to improve the preparation of diagnostic imaging guidelines. The aim of our study was to provide such data. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort of 216 consecutive skeletal biopsies from patients with at least 2 different imaging modalities (X-ray, CT and MRI) performed within 6 months of biopsy was identified. The diagnostic accuracy of the individual imaging modality was assessed. Finally, the possible influence of the sequence of imaging modalities was investigated. Results: No significant difference in the accuracy of the imaging modalities was shown, being preceded by another imaging modality or not. However, the sequence analyses indicate sequential biases, particularly if MRI was the first imaging modality. Conclusion: The sequence of the imaging modalities seems to influence the diagnostic accuracy against a pathology reference standard. Further studies are needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for the strategy of using previous imaging and reports to improve diagnostic accuracy.

AB - Introduction: Comparing imaging examinations with those previously obtained is considered mandatory in imaging guidelines. To our knowledge, no studies are available on neither the influence, nor the sequence, of prior imaging and reports on diagnostic accuracy using biopsy as the reference standard. Such data are important to minimize diagnostic errors and to improve the preparation of diagnostic imaging guidelines. The aim of our study was to provide such data. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort of 216 consecutive skeletal biopsies from patients with at least 2 different imaging modalities (X-ray, CT and MRI) performed within 6 months of biopsy was identified. The diagnostic accuracy of the individual imaging modality was assessed. Finally, the possible influence of the sequence of imaging modalities was investigated. Results: No significant difference in the accuracy of the imaging modalities was shown, being preceded by another imaging modality or not. However, the sequence analyses indicate sequential biases, particularly if MRI was the first imaging modality. Conclusion: The sequence of the imaging modalities seems to influence the diagnostic accuracy against a pathology reference standard. Further studies are needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for the strategy of using previous imaging and reports to improve diagnostic accuracy.

KW - biopsy

KW - bone

KW - cancer

KW - diagnostic accuracy

KW - medical imaging

KW - metastasis

KW - prior imaging

KW - reports

KW - tumor

U2 - 10.3390/diagnostics12071735

DO - 10.3390/diagnostics12071735

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35885639

AN - SCOPUS:85137344754

VL - 12

JO - Diagnostics

JF - Diagnostics

SN - 2075-4418

IS - 7

M1 - 1735

ER -