Volume and Coverage of Secondary Imaging Interpretation Under Medicare, 2003 to 2016

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess changing Medicare volumes of, and coverage for, secondary interpretations of diagnostic imaging examinations stratified by modality and body region service families.MethodsMedicare Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files for 2003 to 2016 were obtained. Aggregate Part B fee-for-service claims frequency and payment data were isolated for noninvasive diagnostic imaging and stratified by service family. Using published Medicare payment rules, secondary interpretations were identified as studies billed using both modifiers 26 and 77. Billed and denied services volumes were calculated and compared across modality and body region service families.ResultsSeven service families showed a compound annual growth rate from 2003 to 2016 of >20% (an additional 12 service families, >10% growth). For select high-volume service families (chest radiography and fluoroscopy [R&F], brain MRI, and abdominal and pelvic CT), relative growth in billed secondary interpretation services exceeded that for primary interpretations. In 2016, body region and modality service families with the most billed secondary interpretations were chest R&F (674,124), abdominal and pelvic R&F (65,566), brain CT (45,642), extremity R&F (34,560), abdominal and pelvic CT (14,269), and chest CT (10,914). All service families had secondary interpretation denial rates <25% in 2016 (15 service families, <10%).ConclusionsAmong Medicare beneficiaries, the frequency of billed secondary interpretation services for diagnostic imaging services increased from 2003 to 2016 across a broad range of modalities and body regions, often dramatically. Payment denial rates were consistently low across service families. As CMS continues to seek input on appropriate coverage for these services, these findings suggest increasing clinical demand for and payer acceptance of these value-added radiologist services.     

Image interpretation performance: A longitudinal study from novice to professional

PurposeUniversities need to deliver educational programmes that create radiography graduates who are ready and able to participate in abnormality detection schemes, ultimately delivering safe and reliable performance because junior doctors are exposed to the risk of misdiagnosis if unsupported by other healthcare professionals. Radiographers are ideally suited to this role having the responsibility for conducting the actual X-ray examination.MethodThe image interpretation performance of one cohort of student radiographers was measured upon enrolment from UCAS in the first week of university education and then again prior to graduation using RadBench (n = 23).ResultsThe results identified that novices have a range of natural image interpretation skills; accuracy 35–85%, sensitivity 45–100%, specificity 15–85%, mean ROC 0.691. Graduates presented a narrower range; accuracy 60–90%, sensitivity 40–100%, specificity 60–90%, mean ROC 0.841. The positive shift in graduate mean accuracy (+16%) was driven by increases in specificity (+27%) rather than sensitivity (+5%). No statistically significant differences (ANOVA) could be found between age group, gender and previous education however trends were identified. 56.5% of the population (n = 13) met a benchmark accurate standard of 80%, including one graduate who met 90%.ConclusionImage interpretation testing at the point of UCAS entry is a useful indicator of future performance and is a recommended factor for consideration as part of the selection process. Whilst image interpretation now forms an integral part of undergraduate radiography programmes, new graduates may not necessary possess the reliability in decision making to justify participation in abnormality detection schemes, highlighting the need for continuous professional development.     

Development of a valid and reliable test to assess trauma radiograph interpretation performance

ObjectivesThe purpose of this investigation was to develop and examine the preliminary validity and reliability among radiographers of a test to assess trauma radiograph interpretation performance suitable for use among health professionals.MethodsStage 1 examined 14,159 consecutive appendicular and axial examinations from a hospital emergency department over a 12 month period to quantify a typical anatomical region case-mix of trauma radiographs. A sample of radiographic cases representative of affected anatomical regions was then developed into the Image Interpretation Test (IIT). Stage 2 involved prospective investigations of the IIT's reliability (inter-rater, intra-rater, internal consistency) and validity (concurrent) among 41 radiographers.ResultsThe IIT included 60 cases. The median (interquartile range) clinical experience of participants was 5 (2–10) years. Case scores were internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90). Favourable inter-rater reliability (kappa > 0.70 for 58/60 cases, Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.99 for total score) and intra-rater reliability (kappa > 0.90 for 60/60 cases, ICC > 0.99 for total score) was observed. There was a positive association between radiographers' confidence in image interpretation and IIT score (coefficient = 1.52, r-squared = 0.60, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe IIT developed during this investigation included a selection of radiographic cases consistent with anatomical regions represented in an adult trauma case-mix. This study has also provided foundational preliminary evidence to support the reliability and validity of the IIT among radiographers. The findings suggest that it is possible to assess image interpretation performance of adult trauma radiographs with this test.     

Variation in assessments of suitability and number of contributors for DNA mixtures

The interpretation of a DNA mixture (a sample that contains DNA from two or more people) depends on a laboratory/analyst’s assessment of the suitability of the sample for comparison/analysis, and an assessment of the number of contributors (NoC) present in the sample. In this study, 134 participants from 67 forensic laboratories provided a total of 2272 assessments of 29 DNA mixtures (provided as electropherograms). The laboratories’ responses were evaluated in terms of the variability of suitability assessments, and the accuracy and variability of NoC assessments. Policies and procedures related to suitability and NoC varied notably among labs. We observed notable variation in whether labs would assess a given mixture as suitable or not, predominantly due to differences in lab policies: if two labs following their standard operating procedures (SOPs) were given the same mixture, they agreed on whether the mixture was suitable for comparison 66% of the time. Differences in suitability assessments have a direct effect on variability in interpretations among labs, since mixtures assessed as not suitable would not result in reported interpretations. For labs following their SOPs, 79% of assessments of NoC were correct. When two different labs provided NoC responses, 63% of the time both labs were correct, and 7% of the time both labs were incorrect. Incorrect NoC assessments have been shown to affect statistical analyses in some cases, but do not necessarily imply inaccurate interpretations or conclusions. Most incorrect NoC estimates were overestimates, which previous research has shown have less of an effect on likelihood ratios than underestimates.     

多发性硬化诊断标准的进展与解读

多发性硬化是一种中枢神经系统脱髓鞘性疾病,临床特点是病灶播散广泛。本文复习了近30年来多发性硬化诊断标准的进展,并作解读。     

Pictorial Review of Mediastinal Masses with an Emphasis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a crucial tool for evaluating mediastinal masses considering that several lesions that appear indeterminate on computed tomography and radiography can be differentiated on MRI. Using a three-compartment model to localize the mass and employing a basic knowledge of MRI, radiologists can easily diagnose mediastinal masses. Here, we review the use of MRI in evaluating mediastinal masses and present the images of various mediastinal masses categorized using the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group''s three-compartment classification system. These masses include thymic hyperplasia, thymic cyst, pericardial cyst, thymoma, mediastinal hemangioma, lymphoma, mature teratoma, bronchogenic cyst, esophageal duplication cyst, mediastinal thyroid carcinoma originating from ectopic thyroid tissue, mediastinal liposarcoma, mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst, neurogenic tumor, meningocele, and plasmacytoma.     

跟骨双45°斜轴位DR摄片在跟骨骨折中的诊断价值

目的：探讨跟骨双45°斜轴位DR摄片在跟骨骨折中的诊断价值。方法：对52例跟踝部外伤患者分别行足部正位和斜位、跟骨侧位和轴位DR摄片及跟骨双45°斜轴位DR片,取得跟骨不同部位骨质图像,进行对比分析。结果：52例跟踝部外伤患者经X线片或CT检查发现证实跟骨骨折46例,其中足部正斜位发现跟骨骨折21例;跟骨侧轴位片共发现骨折30例;跟骨侧轴位加双45°斜轴位摄片发现跟骨骨折42例,与跟骨侧轴位片相比,分别多发现跟骨前突骨折3例及跟骨结节内外侧突骨折6例。各个摄片方法对跟骨骨折的显示率分别为45%、65%和91%。结论：跟骨侧轴位加拍双侧45°斜轴位DR摄片能明显提高跟骨骨折诊断率,尤其是对跟骨结节内外侧突及跟骨前部近跟距关节处骨折具有较高的诊断价值。     

定量CT评价骨折愈合的有效性

目的 探讨定量CT(quantitative computed tomography,QCT)评价骨折愈合的有效性和准确性.方法 将24只健康新西兰兔随机数字表法分为A组(骨折愈合组,右胫骨中段横形骨折,用克氏针内固定)和B组(不愈合组,右胫骨中段横断骨折,制作5 mm骨缺损后以骨蜡封填断端和髓腔),分别于第2,4,8,12周各处理3只兔:先摄两侧胫骨X线片,拔出克氏针及定量CT检测,之后处死动物,将骨折段切取行组织学分析.以X线片和组织学表现为骨折愈合及不愈合的金标准,以受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析定量CT检测参数的评价效能,并以健侧胫骨相应节段为对照,观察定量CT参数结果的变化趋势.结果 A组X线片和组织学证实骨折在第2,4周骨折线清晰,为纤维骨痂填充,8～12周骨折线模糊至消失,骨皮质恢复完整连续性.B组X线片和组织学在第2、4周骨折线清晰,骨化不活跃,8～12周骨折线仍存在,骨细胞和骨小梁稀少.将定量CT检测结果进行ROC分析显示,材料学参数骨痂骨密度(BMD)、骨痂骨矿含量(BMC)的曲线下面积(准确度)为0.781和0.750,结构学参数横截面积(CSA)和截面惯性矩(CSMI)的曲线下面积(准确度)为0.781和0.469(P<0.05),材料学参数和结构学参数乘积引伸所得的横截面积力学强度指数(BSICSA)、截面惯性矩力学强度指数(BSICSMI)的曲线下面积(准确度)分别为0.913和0.813(P<0.05),BMD、CSA、BSICSA三者曲线下面积(准确度)分别为0.905,0.921,0.905(P<0.05).结论 定量技术测量骨折局部形态具有区分和反映骨折愈合与骨折不愈合模型及过程的潜能,所筛选出具有准确度的参数有BMD、CSA和BSICSA,这些参数具有准确、特异的优越性.     

Oral contrast medium in PET/CT: should you or shouldn’t you?

Purpose It has been suggested that the use of computed tomography (CT) positive contrast agents has led to attenuation-induced artefacts on ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) systems. Consequently, centres may withhold the use of such agents. Whilst there is theoretical evidence to support the aforementioned claim, the clinical relevance of the induced artefacts has not been widely established. Moreover, the potential benefits of bowel enhancement on PET/CT have yet to be formally evaluated. We therefore prospectively examined PET/CT studies to assess whether the use of oral contrast medium induces clinically relevant artefacts and whether the use of these agents is diagnostically helpful.Methods Over a 2-month period, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images were prospectively reviewed from 200 patients following Gastrografin administration 2 h prior to examination. Both a radiologist and a nuclear medicine physician reviewed the images for contrast medium-mediated clinically relevant artefacts. Artefacts were sought on the CT attenuation-corrected images and were compared with the appearance on non-attenuated-corrected images. The number of examinations in which the oral contrast aided image interpretation was also noted.Results There were no oral contrast medium-induced clinically significant artefacts. In 38 of the 200 patients, oral contrast aided image interpretation (owing to differentiation of mass/node from bowel, discrimination of intestinal wall from lumen or definition of the anatomy of a relevant site). In 33 of these 38 patients, the anatomical site of interest was the abdomen/pelvis.Conclusion The use of oral contrast medium in ¹⁸F-FDG PET studies should not be withheld as it improves image interpretation and does not produce clinically significant artefacts.