Consistency in knee MRI reporting templates: an ISS survey and common data element analysis

This study aimed to analyze knee MRI reporting templates among radiologists of the International Skeletal Society (ISS) and to determine standardized information in the form of common data elements.

A total of 510 radiologists, all members of the ISS, were invited to complete a survey and submit knee MRI reporting templates used in clinical practice. Each template was analyzed for structure and common data elements, as defined by the National Institutes of Health. Common data elements were classified as value list, text, or number. Multi-option value list elements were recoded into binary values. The results were aggregated to quantify the prevalence of individual common data elements and groups.

A total of 73 of 510 (14%) invited ISS members completed the survey. Forty-one respondents (56%) reported using templates, whereas 32 (44%) did not. Thirty-nine respondents submitted 62 templates from 22 countries. Templates originated mainly from Europe (38%), North America (31%), and Asia (18%). Among respondents who submitted templates, 49% used highly structured templates, 33% intermediate-structure templates, and 18% low-structure templates. Most intermediate templates were anatomy-based (62%) rather than compartment-based (38%). A total of 507 common data elements were extracted, comprising 75% value list elements, 23% text elements, and 2% number elements.

Knee MRI reporting in this sample of ISS respondents was not standardized, with only a slight majority reporting template use and substantial heterogeneity in template structure. The analysis identified essential and consistently reported items.