Identifying the target: An audit of radiology reports for appropriate use of slice reference numbers
Wooder, Rachael Chan, Clara Coote, Joanna H Harris, Maggie A O'Hare, S. Pemberton, Laura S Salem, Ahmed Sheikh, Hamid Y
Wooder, Rachael
Chan, Clara
Coote, Joanna H
Harris, Maggie A
O'Hare, S.
Pemberton, Laura S
Salem, Ahmed
Sheikh, Hamid Y
Citations
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Abstract
Purpose or Objective
As the capabilities of diagnostic imaging have advanced, higher levels of spatial resolution identify smaller lung
abnormalities. Radiation oncologists are treating smaller and more ill defined targets. Many patients with lung cancer will
have a background of chronic lung disease with associated abnormalities (e.g. small equivocal nodules) identified at the
time of the RT planning scan. Guidance in the UK recommend references to image slices in the radiology reports to help
the reader clearly identify abnormalities but this is not compulsory.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective review of the CT and PET reports of thirty patients (4 metastatic and 26 primary lung cancer) who received
lung SABR to ascertain if the target lesion was clearly identified with a slice reference number.
Results
24 patients (80%) had a slice reference number clearly identifying the target lesion. Out of theses 8 had detailed reports
with slice reference numbers identifying the target lesion and benign abnormalities or areas requiring surveillance. 7
patients out of 30 had additional lesions visible on the RT planning scan which had previously been reported on diagnostic
imaging and under surveillance. There was no slice reference number clearly distinguishing the lesion requiring treatment
and that under surveillance for 3 of these patients.
Conclusion
Slice reference numbers were included in most but not all radiology reports. Where there are multiple lesions under
surveillance slice reference numbers are beneficial in target lesion identification. Inclusion of slice reference numbers
could be advocated as part of an error reduction strategy which would reduce the risk of the target being incorrectly
delineated.
Description
Date
2022
Publisher
Collections
Keywords
Type
Meetings and Proceedings
Citation
Wooder R, Bayman N, Chan C, Coote J, Faivre-Finn C, Harris M, et al. Identifying the target: An audit of radiology reports for appropriate use of slice reference numbers. Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2022 May;170:S1072-S3. PubMed PMID: WOS:000806779900096.