ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the human resources required for a retrospective quality review of different percentages of all routine diagnostic procedures in the Department of Radiology at Bern University Hospital, Switzerland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three board-certified radiologists retrospectively evaluated the quality of the radiological reports of a total of 150 examinations (5 different examination types: abdominal CT, chest CT, mammography, conventional X-ray images and abdominal MRI). Each report was assigned a RADPEER score of 1 to 3 (score 1: concur with previous interpretation; score 2: discrepancy in interpretation/not ordinarily expected to be made; score 3: discrepancy in interpretation/should be made most of the time). The time (in seconds, s) required for each review was documented and compared. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to calculate the total workload for reviewing different percentages of the total annual reporting volume of the clinic. RESULTS: Among the total of 450 reviews analyzed, 91.1â% (410/450) were assigned a score of 1 and 8.9â% (40/450) were assigned scores of 2 or 3. The average time (in seconds) required for a peer review was 60.4âs (min. 5âs, max. 245âs). The reviewer with the greatest clinical experience needed significantly less time for reviewing the reports than the two reviewers with less clinical expertise (pâ<â0.05). Average review times were longer for discrepant ratings with a score of 2 or 3 (pâ<â0.05). The total time requirement calculated for reviewing all 5 types of examination for one year would be more than 1200 working hours. CONCLUSION: A retrospective peer review of reports of radiological examinations using the RADPEER system requires considerable human resources. However, to improve quality, it seems feasible to peer review at least a portion of the total yearly reporting volume. KEY POINTS: · A systematic retrospective assessment of the content of radiological reports using the RADPEER system involves high personnel costs.. · The retrospective assessment of all reports of a clinic or practice seems unrealistic due to the lack of highly specialized personnel.. · At least part of all reports should be reviewed with the aim of improving the quality of reports.. CITATION FORMAT: · Maurer MH, Brönnimann M, Schroeder C etâal. Time Requirement and Feasibility of a Systematic Quality Peer Review of Reporting in Radiology. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 160â-â167.
Subject(s)
Peer Review/methods , Quality Assurance, Health Care/methods , Radiologists/statistics & numerical data , Radiology/statistics & numerical data , Abdominal Cavity/diagnostic imaging , Feasibility Studies , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/statistics & numerical data , Mammography/methods , Mammography/statistics & numerical data , Radiography/methods , Radiography/statistics & numerical data , Radiology/standards , Research Report , Retrospective Studies , Specialty Boards/standards , Switzerland , Thorax/diagnostic imaging , Time Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/statistics & numerical data , WorkloadABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ganglioneuroma (GN) of the adult is a rare benign tumour originating from neural crest-derived cells. In most cases, GN is found in the mediastinum or retroperitoneum incidentally and may present with unspecific symptoms caused by space-occupying effects. The correct diagnosis of a retroperitoneal mass is still a challenge. Nevertheless, a preoperatively confirmed diagnosis of GN may support the concept of a less radical approach and may help to prevent unnecessary morbidity or loss of function. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a symptomatic retroperitoneal paravertebral GN in a 33-year-old woman. She has been referred with abdominal discomfort, lancinating pain in the right leg, headache and nausea. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid paravertebral tumour adjacent to the psoas muscle. Computed tomography-guided core needle biopsy yielded the diagnosis of GN. The tumour was resected completely via a laparotomy. Immunohistopathological examinations confirmed a benign GN. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic studies and therapeutic interventions of retroperitoneal GN are discussed. In our case, a core needle biopsy preceding complete resection was helpful to prevent too extensive surgical approach.