TY - JOUR
T1 - Interobserver agreement in interpretation of radiographic pulmonary changes in dogs in relation to radiology training
AU - Froes, Tilde Rodrigues
AU - Zwingenberger, Allison
AU - Sato, Amy
AU - Garcia, Daniela Aparecida Ayres
AU - De Souza, Andressa Cristina
AU - De Souza Lemos, Raquel
AU - Mai, Wilfried
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Interpretation of pulmonary radiographs is one of the most difficult aspects of radiology and interobserver variability is high. The aim of this study was to assess variations in interpretation of pulmonary pathology amongst Brazilian veterinarians with different levels of training and experience, using the interpretation by American board-certified radiologists as a reference. We identified areas where interpretation is particularly challenging. Sixty digital canine thoracic radiographic examinations were interpreted by four groups of three Brazilian observers, each group being defined by different levels of training and experience. The radiographic findings of the 4 groups of observers in the study were compared to a reference interpretation established from the findings of three ACVR board-certified radiologists. The degree of discrepancy for each list between each group and the reference interpretation was assessed according to a three-level scoring system: no discrepancy, minor discrepancy, or major discrepancy. Data was analyzed using a Kappa and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests. Brazilian veterinarians with the most training and experience showed the least interobserver variation and best performance when compared to the reference interpretation, followed by those with practical training, but with little work experience in professional practice. The radiographic patterns that were associated with the highest interobserver variability were the vascular, unstructured interstitial and bronchial patterns. Interobserver major discrepancies occurred in all groups, but is more evident in groups with the least training (44.4%) and the general practitioners (26.7%) group. It can be concluded that training positively influences the accuracy of radiographic interpretation and is recommended to reduce erroneous diagnoses.
AB - Interpretation of pulmonary radiographs is one of the most difficult aspects of radiology and interobserver variability is high. The aim of this study was to assess variations in interpretation of pulmonary pathology amongst Brazilian veterinarians with different levels of training and experience, using the interpretation by American board-certified radiologists as a reference. We identified areas where interpretation is particularly challenging. Sixty digital canine thoracic radiographic examinations were interpreted by four groups of three Brazilian observers, each group being defined by different levels of training and experience. The radiographic findings of the 4 groups of observers in the study were compared to a reference interpretation established from the findings of three ACVR board-certified radiologists. The degree of discrepancy for each list between each group and the reference interpretation was assessed according to a three-level scoring system: no discrepancy, minor discrepancy, or major discrepancy. Data was analyzed using a Kappa and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests. Brazilian veterinarians with the most training and experience showed the least interobserver variation and best performance when compared to the reference interpretation, followed by those with practical training, but with little work experience in professional practice. The radiographic patterns that were associated with the highest interobserver variability were the vascular, unstructured interstitial and bronchial patterns. Interobserver major discrepancies occurred in all groups, but is more evident in groups with the least training (44.4%) and the general practitioners (26.7%) group. It can be concluded that training positively influences the accuracy of radiographic interpretation and is recommended to reduce erroneous diagnoses.
KW - Interobserver agreement
KW - Pulmonary patterns
KW - Thoracic radiographs
KW - Training
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U2 - 10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n5p2513
DO - 10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n5p2513
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84910068310
VL - 35
SP - 2513
EP - 2526
JO - Semina:Ciencias Agrarias
JF - Semina:Ciencias Agrarias
SN - 1676-546X
IS - 5
ER -