ACRIN CT colonography trial: does reader's preference for primary two-dimensional versus primary three-dimensional...

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Imaging
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Computed tomographic (CT) colonography is an imaging technique used for colorectal cancer screening.
• Both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) interpretation methods are available for CT colonography.
• Understanding factors influencing diagnostic performance, such as reader preference, is crucial for optimizing screening protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether a radiologist's preferred interpretation method (2D vs. 3D) affects their performance in CT colonography.
• To compare diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) based on reader preference for 2D or 3D CT colonography interpretation.

Main Methods:

• 2531 CT colonography examinations were reviewed by 15 radiologists, with colonoscopy serving as the reference standard.
• Radiologists' preferences for primary 2D, primary 3D, or both interpretation methods were recorded.
• Readers were randomly assigned either a 2D or 3D primary interpretation method for each examination to assess performance.

Main Results:

• Reader preferences for interpretation methods remained relatively stable throughout the study.
• No significant differences in sensitivity or specificity were found for detecting polyps (≥10 mm or ≥6 mm) based on reader preference.
• Performance was similar whether radiologists used their preferred or non-preferred interpretation method (2D or 3D).

Conclusions:

• A radiologist's preference for either 2D or 3D interpretation does not influence their performance in CT colonography.
• The findings suggest that CT colonographic performance is not dependent on the reader's subjective preference for the display method.