Structured reporting,
using the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Common Data Elements (NINDS CDEs),
is a promising way of assessing patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Contrary to conventional qualitative and free-text reports,
structured reports are characterized by a standardized format,
a consistent itemized organization and most importantly,
use of standard language [1,2,3].
The NINDS CDEs were specifically developed by a consortium of experts in the field of TBI to provide a standard language and to create consistent data collection across TBI trials [4].
Different types of pathoanatomic lesions resulting from neurotrauma have been carefully defined to provide uniformity in reporting.
In addition,
a basic standardized format with a progressive three-tier organization (‘basic’,
‘descriptive’ and ‘advanced’) was introduced as a framework.
This structured way of reporting is considered of great value for data-mining and image-outcome evaluation,
as proven by previous experiences with standardized imaging data collection (e.g.
the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System,
BI-RADS)[5].
Besides the obvious research benefits,
structured reporting also reduces variability,
increases reporting clarity,
consistency and can facilitate medical decision-making [6,7,8].
Unfortunately,
in early-stage structured reporting,
which is done electronically,
the amount of clicks needed to enter findings is perceived as cumbersome and time-consuming by radiologists [9].
As a result,
for large clinical trials,
a number of non-radiologist ‘raters’ have been recruited.
Considering the complexity of evaluating a heterogeneous disorder like craniocerebral trauma,
this has led to concerns about inter-rater reliability and diagnostic accuracy.
The aim of this study was therefore to determine if trained non-radiologist raters (neuroscientists with a background in neuroanatomy) in a large clinical trial (Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury,
CENTER-TBI) [10] can reliably identify and report basic pathoanatomic features of TBI on acute non-contrast computed tomography (CT) examinations,
compared to expert supervising neuroradiologists.