Discrepancies between primary and secondary interpretations of pediatric nuclear medicine imaging examinations.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-4-2025

Publication Title

Pediatric radiology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Requests for secondary interpretation of imaging examinations adds clinical work and generates additional charges.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the impact of secondary interpretations of pediatric nuclear medicine examinations at a quaternary academic center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this IRB approved study, we retrospectively reviewed nuclear medicine examinations submitted for secondary interpretation by a pediatric radiologist with a nuclear medicine focus at our institution between 08/2019 and 08/2024. A single reviewer compared the primary and secondary reports to identify discrepancies that would likely impact clinical management, and discrepancies were confirmed by additional reviewers. Pediatric hematology/oncology faculty (n=29) and fellows (n=18) at our institution were surveyed to understand requests for, and the impact of, secondary interpretations. Results are summarized with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-eight examinations (median patient age=8 years) were included, 237 were

CONCLUSION: Secondary interpretation of pediatric nuclear medicine examinations by pediatric radiologists with nuclear medicine focus resulted in changes that have potential impact on clinical management in 17% of cases. Secondary interpretations completely changed the impression regarding the presence or absence of malignant disease in 40% of these cases. Referring providers identified benefit in secondary interpretations even when they confirmed the primary impression.

DOI

10.1007/s00247-025-06441-w

ISSN

1432-1998

PubMed ID

41343062

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS