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Structured reporting adds clinical value in primary CT staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

European Radiology volume 28, pages 3702–3709 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate whether template-based structured reports (SRs) add clinical value to primary CT staging in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) compared to free-text reports (FTRs).

Methods

In this two-centre study SRs and FTRs were acquired for 16 CT examinations. Thirty-two reports were independently scored by four haematologists using a questionnaire addressing completeness of information, structure, guidance for patient management and overall quality. The questionnaire included yes-no, 10-point Likert scale and 5-point scale questions. Altogether 128 completed questionnaires were evaluated. Non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar’s test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

SRs contained information on affected organs more often than FTRs (95 % vs. 66 %). More SRs commented on extranodal involvement (91 % vs. 62 %). Sufficient information for Ann-Arbor classification was included in more SRs (89 % vs. 64 %). Information extraction was quicker from SRs (median rating on 10-point Likert scale=9 vs. 6; 7–10 vs. 4–8 interquartile range). SRs had better comprehensibility (9 vs. 7; 8–10 vs. 5–8). Contribution of SRs to clinical decision-making was higher (9 vs. 6; 6–10 vs. 3–8). SRs were of higher quality (p < 0.001). All haematologists preferred SRs over FTRs.

Conclusions

Structured reporting of CT examinations for primary staging in patients with DLBCL adds clinical value compared to FTRs by increasing completeness of reports, facilitating information extraction and improving patient management.

Key Points

• Structured reporting in CT helps clinicians to assess patients with lymphoma.

• This two-centre study showed that structured reporting improves information content and extraction.

• Patient management may be improved by structured reporting.

• Clinicians preferred structured reports over free-text reports.

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Abbreviations

DLBCL:

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

FTR:

Free-text report

NHL:

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

RIS:

Radiology information system

SR:

Structured report

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Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchionistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Franziska Schoeppe, Wieland H. Sommer & Dominik Nörenberg

  2. III. Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany

    Mareike Verbeek & Christian Bogner

  3. Department of Internal Medicine III and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany

    C. Benedikt Westphalen & Martin Dreyling

  4. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany

    Ernst J. Rummeny & Alexander A. Fingerle

Authors
  1. Franziska Schoeppe
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  2. Wieland H. Sommer
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  3. Dominik Nörenberg
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  4. Mareike Verbeek
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  5. Christian Bogner
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  6. C. Benedikt Westphalen
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  7. Martin Dreyling
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  8. Ernst J. Rummeny
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  9. Alexander A. Fingerle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Franziska Schoeppe.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Wieland H. Sommer.

Conflict of interest

The following two authors of this manuscript declare relationships with Smart Reporting GmbH (online software for structured reporting templates):

Franziska Schoeppe: created and reviewed structured templates, background research; Wieland Sommer: co-founder.

All other authors declare no conflicts of interest relevant to the study.

Statistics and biometry

No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board.

Ethical approval

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained.

Methodology

• retrospective

• observational

• multicentre study

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Schoeppe, F., Sommer, W.H., Nörenberg, D. et al. Structured reporting adds clinical value in primary CT staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Eur Radiol 28, 3702–3709 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5340-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5340-3

Keywords

  • Structured reporting
  • Tomography, X-ray computed
  • Lymphoma, Large B-cell, Diffuse
  • Structured reports
  • Free text reports