Is reassessment of Computed Tomography Reports Worthwhile in Acute Diverticulitis?

Since the assessment of the disease severity in acute diverticulitis (AD) is of utmost importance to determine the optimal treatment and the need for follow-up investigations, we wanted to investigate whether the first CT report is compatible with daytime reassessment report and whether the value of initial report changes according to the experience of the radiologist.

Consecutive patients from tertiary referral centre with AD were included. CT images done in the emergency department were initially analysed by either resident radiologists or consultant radiologists and then later reanalysed by consultant abdominal radiologists. Discrepancies between reports were noted.

Of total of 562 patients with AD, CT images were reanalysed in 439 cases. In 22 reports (5.0%) the final report was significantly different from the initial report and management changed in 20 cases. In reports of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis, reanalysis changed initial assessment in 4.0% of the cases and in complicated acute diverticulitis (CAD) in 9.1%. When consultant and resident radiologists were compared, there was no significant difference.

Although no statistical difference could be noted between residents and consultants, the final report was significantly different in overall 5% of the cases when reanalysed at normal working hours by an experienced consultant abdominal radiologist. Therefore, we conclude that reassessment of CT reports is worthwhile in AD.