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High variability in radiologists' reporting practices for incidental thyroid nodules detected on CT and MRI.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hoang, JK; Riofrio, A; Bashir, MR; Kranz, PG; Eastwood, JD
Published in: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol
June 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are no guidelines for reporting incidental thyroid nodules seen on CT and MR imaging. We evaluated radiologists' current reporting practices for incidental thyroid nodules detected on these imaging modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiologists were surveyed regarding their reporting practices by using 14 scenarios of incidental thyroid nodules differing in size, patient demographics, and clinical history. Scenarios were evaluated for the following: 1) radiologists' most commonly selected response, and 2) the proportion of radiologists selecting that response (degree of agreement). These measures were used to determine how the patient scenario and characteristics of the radiologists affected variability in practice. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three radiologists participated. In 8/14 scenarios, the most common response was to "recommend sonography." For the other scenarios, the most common response was to "report in only body of report." The overall mean agreement for the 14 scenarios was 53%, and agreement ranged from 36% to 75%. Smaller nodules had lower agreement: 43%-51% for 8-mm nodules compared with 64%-75% for 15-mm nodules. Agreement was poorest for the 10-mm nodule in a 60-year-old woman (36%) and for scenarios with additional history of lung cancer (39%) and multiple nodules (36%). There was no significant difference in reporting practices and agreement when radiologists were categorized by years of practice, practice type, and subspecialty (P > .55). CONCLUSIONS: The reporting practice for incidental thyroid nodules on CT or MR imaging is highly variable among radiologists, especially for patients with smaller nodules (≤10 mm) and patients with multiple nodules and a history of cancer. This variability highlights the need for practice guidelines.

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Published In

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

DOI

EISSN

1936-959X

Publication Date

June 2014

Volume

35

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1190 / 1194

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Thyroid Nodule
  • Radiology
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Incidental Findings
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Hoang, J. K., Riofrio, A., Bashir, M. R., Kranz, P. G., & Eastwood, J. D. (2014). High variability in radiologists' reporting practices for incidental thyroid nodules detected on CT and MRI. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 35(6), 1190–1194. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A3834
Hoang, J. K., A. Riofrio, M. R. Bashir, P. G. Kranz, and J. D. Eastwood. “High variability in radiologists' reporting practices for incidental thyroid nodules detected on CT and MRI.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 35, no. 6 (June 2014): 1190–94. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A3834.
Hoang JK, Riofrio A, Bashir MR, Kranz PG, Eastwood JD. High variability in radiologists' reporting practices for incidental thyroid nodules detected on CT and MRI. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2014 Jun;35(6):1190–4.
Hoang, J. K., et al. “High variability in radiologists' reporting practices for incidental thyroid nodules detected on CT and MRI.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, vol. 35, no. 6, June 2014, pp. 1190–94. Pubmed, doi:10.3174/ajnr.A3834.
Hoang JK, Riofrio A, Bashir MR, Kranz PG, Eastwood JD. High variability in radiologists' reporting practices for incidental thyroid nodules detected on CT and MRI. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2014 Jun;35(6):1190–1194.

Published In

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

DOI

EISSN

1936-959X

Publication Date

June 2014

Volume

35

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1190 / 1194

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Thyroid Nodule
  • Radiology
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Incidental Findings
  • Humans