Overall radiologist sensitivity for pulmonary embolism detection was 86.8%, with thoracic radiologists showing higher sensitivity for single PE than nonthoracic radiologists (89.2% vs 61.4%, P<0.02).
Observational (n=2,555)
What are the factors contributing to accurate detection and erroneous interpretation of pulmonary embolism on CTPA?
Radiologist accuracy for PE detection on CTPA is high, but errors are more likely with single PEs, nonthoracic radiologists, low signal-to-noise ratio, and limited studies.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the factors contributing toward accurate detection and erroneous interpretation of pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over 13 months, all computed tomography pulmonary angiography studies were retrospectively rereviewed by a chest radiologist. Two additional chest radiologists assessed cases with disagreement between the first interpretation and rereview. The number, extent, and location of PE and specialty training, experience, time of study, kV, resident prelim, use of iterative reconstruction, signal to noise ratio (SNR), and reports describing the study as "limited" were recorded. Parametric and nonparametric statistical testing was performed (significance P<0.05). RESULTS: Of 2555 computed tomography pulmonary angiography cases assessed, there were 230 true positive (170 multiple, 60 single PE), 2271 true negative, 35 false-negative (15 multiple and 20 single PE), and 19 false-positive studies. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of radiologists was 86.8%, 99.2%, 92.4%, 98.5%, and 97.9%. Sensitivity for the detection of multiple and central PE was significantly higher than the detection of single and peripheral PE, respectively (P<0.01 for both). The sensitivity of thoracic radiologists (91.7%) was higher than nonthoracic (82.8%) and reached significance for single PE (89.2% vs. 61.4%, P<0.02). Errors were more likely in cases with lower SNR (P=0.04) and those described as limited (P<0.001). Misses occurred more frequently in the upper lobe posterior and lower lobe lateral segments and subsegments (P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy for PE detection is high, but errors are more likely in studies with single PE interpreted by nonthoracic radiologists, especially when located in certain segments and in cases with low SNR or described as limited.
Kligerman et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in Pulmonary embolism (n=2,555). Computed tomography pulmonary angiography interpretation was evaluated on Overall sensitivity for detection of pulmonary embolism. Overall radiologist sensitivity for pulmonary embolism detection was 86.8%, with thoracic radiologists showing higher sensitivity for single PE than nonthoracic radiologists (89.2% vs 61.4%, P<0.02).