Resident Interpretation of Emergency Computed Tomographic Scans

Our busy, urban emergency room is staffed by radiology residents after working hours. To determine the accuracy of our residents' interpretations of emergency cranial computed tomographic (CT) scans, the authors reviewed the preliminary reports of our residents for a two-month period. A total of 289 cranial CT scans were retrospectively reviewed and the resident interpretation judged acceptable, minor error, moderate error, or major error. Six of 289 neurologic examinations (2%) had moderate (4) or major (2) errors. The mistakes all involved misinterpretation of cerebral hemorrhage. The 98% accuracy in interpretation of cranial CT is higher than the accuracy reported with emergency plain film (PF) interpretation.