Influence of radiologic expertise in detecting lung tumors on chest radiographs

Purpose

To analyze the influence of radiologic expertise in detecting lung tumors on chest radiographs.

Materials and methods

We retrieved posteroanterior chest radiographs and CT examination obtained from 283 patients with solitary primary malignant lung tumors who underwent surgical resection. There were 176 men and 107 women with a mean age of 67.0 ± 9.1 (SD) years (range: 33–88 years). Thirteen first-year post-graduate (PGY-1) trainees and nine pulmonary specialists (three radiologists, three thoracic surgeons, and three pulmonologists) interpreted the chest radiographs. Detection rates among trainees and specialists were compared using Student t test.

Results

The total numbers of detected tumors ranged from 103 (36.4%) to 136 (48.1%) with a mean of 127.9 ± 9.1 (45.2 ± 3.2%) in the trainee group, and 137 (48.4%) to 182 (64.3%) with a mean of 161.6 ± 13.1 (57.1 ± 4.6%) in the specialist group; the intergroup difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Significant intergroup detectability differences of >10% were noted for tumors in the peripheral zone with (i) ground glass opacity (GGO) ratio ≥10% and <70% and any size, or (ii) GGO ratio <10% and size ≤2 cm; and for tumors hidden by the mediastinum, heart, or diaphragm with (i) GGO ratio ≥10% and <30% and size >3 cm, or (ii) GGO ratio <10% and size >2 cm.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates significant differences in lung tumor detectability on chest radiographs between PGY-1 trainees and pulmonary specialists according to tumor size, extent of GGO, and tumor location.