Effect of Dynamic Workstation Use on Radiologist Detection of Pulmonary Nodules on CT

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using a treadmill workstation during CT interpretation on radiologists' sensitivity for lung nodule detection, accuracy and adherence to accepted management recommendations, and examination interpretation time.

This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board. Three radiologists performed a retrospective review of 55 CT examinations of the chest originally performed for lung cancer screening. These studies were reviewed both while sitting at a conventional workstation and while walking at a treadmill workstation. A separate thoracic radiologist reviewed the examinations at a conventional workstation only to serve as a control. The number of pulmonary nodules detected, accuracy of or adherence to follow-up recommendations, and time required for examination interpretation were recorded and compared between each condition.

There was no statistically significant difference in the total number of nodules detected while walking versus seated. Intraobserver follow-up recommendations were consistent to highly consistent between sitting and walking. There was moderate interobserver agreement between the radiologists' recommendation for seated versus walking conditions. There was a statistically significant difference in time taken to complete each examination, with interpretation during walking taking less time than during sitting.

Use of a treadmill workstation does not significantly affect the detection of lung nodules on CT or lead to changes in management recommendations but does decrease examination interpretation time.