Keywords:
Tissue characterisation, Neoplasia, Observer performance, Imaging sequences, Diagnostic procedure, MR-Spectroscopy, MR-Functional imaging, MR, Pelvis, Oncology, Genital / Reproductive system male
Authors:
F. M. Ronza, S. V. Setola, V. Granata, R. Fusco, S. Filice, A. Di Finizio, R. Grassi, A. Rotondo, A. Petrillo; Naples/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2011/C-0886
Conclusion
According to our data,
young radiologist improves his performance in MRI/MRS interpretation after a relatively short number of exams.
Sensibility and NPV significantly improve from the first group to the second group of patients,
while specificity,
PPV and accuracy only significantly increase in the third group of patients.
After reviewing the first group of patients at the light of biopsies results,
false negatives reduce,
with a better ability to recognize tumours.
A slight further improvement in sensibility also occurs in the third group.
On the contrary,
only in the third group of patients a significant reduction in false positives is reported.
This can be associated to some findings that require more experience to be correctly evaluated,
such as non-nodular hypointense images and peripheral abnormal spectra or inner borderline spectra.
Comparing our data to a recent metanalysis on combined MRI/MRS [4],
sensibility reached by radiologist in the third group is in the pooled range derived from literature (59-94%),
while specificity is lower (range 80-95%).
Young radiologist performance in MRI/MRS interpretation reaches a good sensibility after a relatively short number of exams,
while a longer learning curve is necessary to improve specificity.